Pumpkin Soup with Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
1 small pumpkin (about 3 lb./1.5 kg), such as Sugar Pie, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 Tbs. olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
4 cups (32 fl. oz./1 l) chicken broth
For the spicy pumpkin seeds:
1/2 cup (2 oz./60 g) pumpkin seeds, cleaned
1 tsp. olive oil
Salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
Pinch of ground cinnamon
Preheat an oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Toss the pumpkin with the oil, season with salt and pepper, and spread on the prepared baking sheet. Roast the pumpkin until soft and caramelized, 30 to 35 minutes.
In a large, heavy pot, warm the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the cumin and coriander and cook for 1 minute. Add the broth and pumpkin and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender or food processor. Return to the pot and season with salt and pepper.
To make the spicy pumpkin seeds, lower the oven temperature to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, toss the seeds with the oil. In another bowl, combine 1 tsp. salt, the cayenne, cumin and cinnamon. Add the pumpkin seeds to the spice mixture and stir to coat. Spread the seeds in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake, stirring once, until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Serve the soup garnished with the pumpkin seeds.
