Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Phase 1: Roasting the Pumpkin for Depth
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Carefully halve the sugar pie pumpkin and scoop out the seeds and stringy bits.
- Slice each pumpkin half into two quarters. Brush or rub 1 tablespoon of olive oil generously over the bright orange flesh of the pumpkin. Place the quarters, cut sides down, onto your prepared baking sheet.
- Roast for 35 minutes or longer, until the pumpkin flesh is tender and easily pierced through with a fork. Set the roasted pumpkin aside to cool for a few minutes.
Phase 2: Blooming Spices & Sautéing Aromatics
- Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering and warm, add the whole cardamom pods and whole star anise. Bloom these whole spices, stirring gently, for about 1-2 minutes until they become wonderfully fragrant.
- Carefully remove and discard the whole cardamom pods and star anise from the pot.
- Now, add the chopped yellow onion, minced garlic cloves, and sea salt to the infused oil. Stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent, which usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. In the meantime, once the roasted pumpkin is cool enough to handle, easily peel the softened skin off the pumpkin flesh and discard the skin.
Phase 3: Simmering & Melding Flavors
- Add the roasted pumpkin flesh to the pot with the sautéed aromatics. Use your stirring spoon to break up the pumpkin a bit. Stir in the ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, cloves, a tiny dash of cayenne pepper (if using), and a few twists of freshly ground black pepper.
- Pour in the 4 cups of vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes. This simmering time allows all the wonderful flavors to meld and deepen beautifully.
Phase 4: Toasting Pepitas & Blending to Perfection
- While the soup is simmering, toast the pepitas in a dry medium skillet over medium-low heat. Stir frequently until they are fragrant, turn a light golden color, and make little popping noises. Transfer the toasted green pumpkin seeds to a bowl to cool.
- Once the pumpkin mixture is done simmering, stir in the full fat coconut milk (or heavy cream) and maple syrup (or honey). Remove the soup from heat and let it cool slightly before blending.
- For the creamiest results, use a stand blender. Work in batches, transferring the contents of the pot to the blender (do not fill past the maximum fill line!). Securely fasten the blender’s lid and use a clean kitchen towel to protect your hand from any steam escaping from the top of the blender as you purée the mixture until incredibly smooth and velvety. Transfer the puréed soup to a large serving bowl and repeat with any remaining batches.
- Alternatively, for convenience, an immersion blender can be used directly in the pot, though it may yield a slightly less ultra-creamy texture.
Phase 5: Final Touches & Serving
- Taste the soup and adjust seasonings if necessary. You might want to add a touch more coconut milk for extra creaminess or a milder flavor, or a bit more maple syrup to make it a little sweeter.
- Ladle the warm, luscious soup into individual bowls. Sprinkle the beautifully toasted pepitas generously over the soup and serve immediately.
- Allow any leftover soup to cool completely before transferring it to a proper storage container and refrigerating for up to 4 days. This soup also freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Notes
To achieve the silkiest texture, a stand blender is recommended; remember to blend in small batches and cool the soup slightly before blending hot liquids to prevent steam pressure build-up. Always vent the blender lid with a kitchen towel. This soup is a fantastic meal prep candidate, often tasting even better the next day as flavors deepen. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.