| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 60 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 424 | 18g | 6g | 23g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 7g | 3.5g | 42g | 1.3g |
I am bringing to you a warm, nourishing bowl of a delight – the Fluted Pumpkin Soup. Mixing my Creole roots with my culinary flair, I’ve crafted a dish that’s as vibrant in flavor as it is in presentation. This dish is special, not just because it’s an amalgamation of my culinary lineage, but because it brings comfort with every spoonful, making it one I simply adore.
Fluted Pumpkin Soup: A Symphony of Flavors
The Fluted Pumpkin Soup is a medley of ingredients that dance together harmoniously to create a flavor symphony that’s hard to resist. This recipe might remind you of the classic French potage, or just a rich and hearty bouillabaisse. Yet, it carries distinctive African flavors, making it a unique rendition. It pairs exceptionally well with a side of freshly baked bread or a bowl of warm rice.
Nourishing and Healthy: Beyond the Taste
Apart from being delicious and heart-warming, Fluted Pumpkin Soup also carries immense health benefits. Pumpkin leaves are known for their high iron content, which helps keep anemia at bay. They’re also packed with calcium, potassium and magnesium, essentials for overall health. Combined with protein-rich meats and seafood, the soup becomes a nutrition powerhouse. Extras like the Scotch bonnets not only add a delightful zing but also bring in beneficial capsaicin which has been linked to boosting metabolism and lowering blood pressure.
To make the Fluted Pumpkin Soup, we begin by sourcing good-quality, fresh ingredients. Pumpkin leaves should be vibrant and crisp, while the meats and fish need to have a clean, fresh scent. The rest of the ingredients elevate the earthy, hearty flavor of the soup to make each spoonful a culinary delight. And of course, in true Louisiana tradition, the soup gets a spike of heat from Scotch bonnets, making it a soup that simultaneously warms the soul and wakes up the senses.
So, as the evenings get chillier, whip up a batch of Fluted Pumpkin Soup. It’s a dish that brings the comfort of a home-cooked meal, the richness of Creole cuisine, and the elegance of French gastronomy to your plate.
What You’ll Need
- 2 lb Fluted pumpkin leaves
- 2 cups of sliced Onions
- 3 Scotch bonnets (peppers)
- 1.5 lb of mixed Meat (beef, goat, chicken)
- 1 cup dried fish
- 1/2 cup stockfish
- 2 cups of shrimp
- 1 cup of crayfish
- 2 tablespoons palm oil
- 2 Maggi cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups of water
- 1 large snail (optional)
Method
Step One
Begin by preparing your ingredients. Wash the fluted pumpkin leaves and shred them into thin strips. Rinse your mixed meat and cut it into manageable chunks. Wash the shrimp, dried fish, and the stockfish. Clean your snail if you chose to include it.
Step Two
Start cooking the meat. Pour 2 cups of water into a large pot and add the mixed meats, one chopped onion, and the salt. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
Step Three
After 15 minutes, add in the stockfish, dried fish, and snail (if using). Stir the pot occasionally to avoid burning. Allow it to simmer for another 10 minutes.
Step Four
In another pot, heat the palm oil over medium heat. Add in the remaining onion and the Scotch bonnets. Sauté until the onions turn translucent, then add the crayfish and the shrimp. Stir for a few minutes to allow the flavours to blend together.
Step Five
Include the meats and fish into the sautéd mixture. Do not pour in the stock yet. Mix thoroughly, breaking up any clumps. Allow it all to cook together for about 10 minutes.
Step Six
Now add the fluted pumpkin leaves. Stir the soup to make sure all ingredients are evenly distributed. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
Step Seven
Add in the Maggi cubes and the remaining stock from the meat and fish. Stir all the ingredients together and allow the soup to simmer for another 5 minutes. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Step Eight
You are done! Serve your Fluted Pumpkin Soup hot with a side of your choice, such as fufu or steamed rice.
