Kabocha Squash Cumin Soup Recipes

KABOCHA (CREAMY JAPANESE SQUASH SOUP)

Steps:

• Wash the exterior of the kabocha squash. Cut in half and remove seeds and inner strands of the squash.
• Place kabocha on a microwave-safe plate and heat in microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, depending on the power of your microwave. This helps to soften the kabocha just a bit.
• Cut the kabocha into thin slices and remove exterior skin. Set slices aside.
• In a medium pot, melt butter and sauté onion slices until translucent and softened.
• Add kabocha and sauté together with onions until the kabocha is cooked.
• Pour water and add chicken bouillon powder in the pot. (Note: Chicken broth may be substituted for the bouillon and water.) Simmer on low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until kabocha is softened.
• Either use an immersion hand blender to blend the vegetables with the broth, or allow the mixture to cool slightly and then pour it into a traditional blender to puree, then add it back to the pot.
• On medium-high heat, add milk to the kabocha mixture and bring to a boil, constantly stirring the soup. Turn off the heat, and season with salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly and serve immediately. Garnish with additional freshly ground black pepper and chopped parsley.

ROASTED KABOCHA SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 400°F.

KABOCHA SQUASH & CUMIN SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas 4. Halve the squash crosswise and scoop out seeds and strings. Place squash halves in a large baking dish, shallow side down. Bake, uncovered, for 1-1½ hours, or until fork tender.
• Wait for the squash to cool down a little, then peel it and chop into chunks.
• Heat the remaining oil in a large pan. Cook the onion and cumin for 2 minutes, then add the carrot and cook for 3 minutes more,
• stirring frequently. Add the baked squash chunks and stock. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Set aside to cool slightly, then purée using a hand blender (preferably), blender or food processor until smooth.
• Return the soup to the pan and gently reheat without boiling. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Top with crème fraîche and sprinkle with parsley and ground nutmeg before serving.

ROASTED KABOCHA SQUASH WITH CUMIN SALT

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Combine cumin seeds with bay leaf and paprika in a spice mill or clean coffee grinder and process briefly. Add sugar and salt and process to combine. Set aside. Toss squash with oil, then cumin mixture. Spread on 2 baking sheets and roast until tender, about 25 minutes.

KABOCHA PUMPKIN SOUP

Steps:

• Place kabocha squash cut-side down into a microwave-safe baking dish. Pour 1/2 inch water around the squash. Microwave on high until tender, about 10 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes.
• Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and garlic until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender.
• Scoop kabocha squash flesh into the blender. Add pumpkin puree, vegetable broth, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Blend until smooth.
• Pour blended mixture into a saucepan. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until heated through, 5 to 10 minutes.

MISO SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Using a heavy, sharp knife, cut the squash in half top to bottom. Scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp. (If desired, save the seeds for roasting.) Brush cut sides of squash with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Place squash cut side up on the baking sheet and roast until tender when pierced with a knife, about 1 hour.
• When the squash is nearly done roasting, heat remaining tablespoon oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened but not taken on any color, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and continue to cook, stirring more frequently, until the onion is uniformly golden brown, another 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in cumin, cinnamon and cayenne. Stir in lemon juice, scraping up any stuck bits from the pan, and remove from heat.
• When the squash is tender, scoop the flesh out of the shell and into the saucepan, breaking it up. Stir in 2 cups stock and 3 tablespoons miso. Transfer to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. You may have to do this in shifts depending on the capacity of your machine. Return to the pot, add remaining 3 cups stock and bring to a simmer over medium, stirring often. Taste and add salt and more cayenne if desired.
• Transfer 2 tablespoons soup to a small saucepan and whisk in remaining tablespoon miso over low heat.
• Divide the soup among bowls or cups and drizzle a small amount of the miso-soup mixture on each serving, tracing it on the surface with a knife. To make ahead, cover and refrigerate soup until ready to serve, up to 3 days. (It can be frozen for up to 1 month.) Reheat soup before serving.

ROASTED KABOCHA SQUASH WITH CUMIN SALT

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F
• Combine cumin seeds with bay leaf and paprika in a spice mill or clean coffee grinder and process briefly. Add sugar and salt and process to combine. Set aside.
• Toss squash with oil, then cumin mixture. Spread on 2 baking sheets and roast until tender, about 25 minutes.