I suddenly realised the other day that our Halloween pumpkin was still kicking around the kitchen. Not literally of course — we haven’t been using it as an indoor football — but it was still sitting on the window-ledge; unloved and unused.
We’d bought two for All Hallows’ Eve and only carved one of them, so the other was patiently waiting for something exciting to happen to it.
Which, in the fullness of time, it did.
We used it to make the most delicious Spiced Pumpkin Soup.
This is a recipe that I’ve had for YEARS. I’ve no idea where it first came from — as my mum wrote it out for me when I went to university — and I’ve still got it, written on the same scrappy old piece of paper.
Now very much worse for wear with curled edges and soup splodges.
This is the perfect soup for this kind of year. Wholesome, hearty and the perfect way to use up those poor, leftover, Halloween pumpkins!
Here is the recipe.
How to make Spiced Pumpkin Soup
- 3-3.5lb of chopped, peeled pumpkin
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 850ml of veg or chicken stock
- 425ml of milk — I usually use semi-skimmed
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- A tiny sprinkling of cayenne pepper to give it a little kick (or more if you like some heat)
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Sea salt to taste
- Cream to serve (this isn’t 100% necessary but it looks nice and tastes delicious)
The method
Super simple. Just cook off the onion and the garlic in the oil, until they’re translucent, then add the spices and the pumpkin.
Give it all a stir, then add the stock. Bring to the boil then simmer until the pumpkin is soft — I usually wait around 20 minutes or so — then add the milk.
Don’t get hung up about the brown scum that forms on the top at this stage — this is a combination of the spices and the milk — it looks pretty vile but it will soon go when the soup is blitzed up.
After the milk has come to the boil, simmer for a couple more minutes, then use a hand blender to whizz it all together. Be careful — the soup is like hot lava at this stage and I’ve been splashed a couple of times (NB – it probably would be prudent to leave it to cool before blitzing but I’m generally too hungry and don’t have the patience to wait)!
When the soup is all silky and smooth — and you’ve blended all the ingredients together — season to taste, then ladle into bowls.
Serve with a dash of double cream and some lovely crusty bread.
A little tip — if you serve the soup in lovely bowls it tastes even nicer ;)
The gorgeous crocks in my photos are from Duckydora.
It’s a family run business, founded by two sisters — Sally and Judith — who have created a fab range of homeware; everything from tactile pottery to charming textiles.
There are currently three striking designs — Amalfi, Florence and Sienna — in various colour-ways, that weave their way throughout the products on their website.
Duckydora produce a lovely range of textiles —British made — everything from coasters and placemats to garden accessories and oilcloth bags. Plus coordinating, hand painted, pottery; mugs, dinner sets and storage jars, to name a few.
They also sell stunning wooden artisan pieces like this beautiful olive wood board (the perfect partner for your crusty bread — and extra virgin olive oil for dipping).
I would say that the old Spiced Pumpkin Soup recipe is pretty hard to beat, although when it’s served in pretty bowls like this it’s a real winner.
Happy eating!
The Sienna bowls and plates — plus the gorgeous handmade olive board — are all from Duckydora. Pop along to their website to see more of their lovely ranges and products.
All photos, thoughts and words, as ever, are my own.
Caro Davies art directed fashion and interiors before leaving the world of design to pursue a career in social media. She can now be found chasing the light — and two small twin boys.
Gorgeous pics and the soup sounds delish. I, like you, always risk blending the soup while still at boiling point (even though my blender says – in capital letters – do not blend hot liquids) because I’m too darned impatient :)
Author
Aah thanks Robyn!! Yep — I never make soup when I have a full stomach!! I’m always making it when I’m ravenous and end up sploshing it all over myself!! Glad it’s not just me!! ;)
Lovely soup, and lovely bowls too! Alex has decided to go vegan so I’ve been keeping my eye out for new recipes to try – I reckon with a dairy-free milk (and maybe a swirl of cream just for me!) this would be great, the perfect winter warmer :) #HomeEtc xx
Author
Thanks pet! The bowls feel really lovely! They have a lovely chunky feel — perfect for soup! I think this would work really well with a non-dairy alternative. Maybe even coconut milk would be nice! Might have to try that myself! :)
Looks delicous, you have really made me want soup for lunch now. x
Author
It’s a firm favourite in our house!! Even the twins like soup! I don’t think I’d even eaten soup when I was two!! :)
Yum, I love pumpkin soup. I’ll definitely be trying this out. #HomeEtc
Author
Aah do — it’s SUCH an easy recipe!! And delicious too :)
Pumpkin soup and curried parsnip soup are two favourites in our house at this time of year – so warming and creamy. Your recipe sounds lovely too.
That crockery is so pretty! Presentation makes all the difference, doesn’t it?
#homeetc
Author
I have never tried curried parsnip! I have a recipe for spicy parsnip which is lovey!! I wonder what curried PUMPKIN would be like?! Might try it next time I make some!! ;)
I love it – you’ve just taken your mum’s secret recipe global! That is so cool that you’ve still got the original scrap of paper. I’ve never made homemade soup, but you’ve just tempted me. Love the bowls too – it’s so true, what it’s served in does make it taste nicer! x #HomeEtc
Author
Hahahaha!!! I hadn’t thought of that!! I’m sure she won’t mind though — it’s nice to share!! ;)
Oh I am loving soup so much at the moment, such great comfort food! This looks delicious and the bowls are gorgeous too. Thank you for hosting xx
Author
Soup is one of my very fave things!! Not only id it a doddle to make, it’s good for you and cheap as chips!! Winner all round! The bowls are really lovely — perfect for soup :)
We tried pumpkin pie for the first time this year, it would be great in a soup! Loving the duck egg table cloth! I really want a table cloth, need to get myself a few different ones for each season x
Author
I absolutely LOVE pumpkin pie!! SO delicious — and fab in soup as well!! A great way of using those Halloween pumpkins up! :)
I love the crockery, Caro. The colour is divine. But the soup?! You may need to come round and cook it for me. I’ve never gotten to grips with pumpkin recipes. I don’t like the raw smell so have always been reluctant to try it.
Author
Hahaha!! I would LOVE to convert you!!! I’m obsessed with it — PLUS you can roast the seeds in the oven with some oil and salt. They’re delicious.
Oh I love the crokery it is beautiful and just my colour and I love, love, love pumpkin soup. My aim after to christmas is to make healthy soups x
Author
I’m a soup fiend!! One of my fave things to make — and eat!! Especially when it’s served in bowls as lovely as these!! :)
Sounds a fab soup, lovely to have on a scrap of paper. Looks like great crockery too – and such a fab name, very say-able! Thanks for hosting #homeetc xx
Author
Aah it’s a LOVELY name isn’t it?! Totally agree that it rolls off the tongue very nicely!! :)
Gorgeous photo’s and what a yummy soup this looks! I am back into making soups again and love the bowls too :) Thanks for hosting with me – superb co-host!! :) Jess xx
#HomeEtc
Author
Aaah the bowls are SO gorgeous aren’t they?! Makes a change for us to ave something with a colour — al of our plates and bowls are plain white!! :)
I really love olive wood. The textures and shapes are beautiful. Also have a huge thing for pumpkin soup. Really, really hearty and warming xx
Author
We have an olive wood pestle and mortar which we’ve had for years — it *feels* so lovely the wood is so lovely and smooth! Loving my new bread board! :)
Lovely photos and it does sound easy to make but no no no, pumpkin soup is just wrong. I can’t like it whatever people do to it!!
Author
I can’t BELIEVE you don’t like it?!! Aaah I absolutely LOVE the stuff!! Pumpkin soup, pie, coffee!!! ;) YUM!
Can’t beat soup on these dark, winter days and it looks perfect in those bowls. Love the colour. #homeetc
Author
Totally agree!!! So easy to make too — my favourite :)
I think I’m in love with your breadboard… Looks delish and I heart the duck egg blue spots xx
Author
Aah it’s beautiful isn’t it? A lovely big chunk of genuine tree wood! ;) xx
I love a soup recipe and this sounds lovely. Really like the bowls too – especially as one has the same name as my daughter! xx
Author
Haha!! I wondered if you’d pick up on that!! YES! Homeware named after your daughter! You should invest in some ;)
lovely bowls. I’ve not made soup for ages! I will have to give this a try xx
Author
Ooh they feel so lovely and chunky! The perfect bowl for hearty soups :)
This looks and sounds tasty. I love pumpkin soup! Have pinned to my Soup board on pinterest :)
Author
It’s SO good Angela!! A definite fave in our house!! :)