Spicy Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients:

2 T Olive oil

2 Leeks, trimmed and sliced

1 Garlic clove, crushed

1 t Ground ginger

1 t Ground cumin

2 C Canned Pumpkin (or fresh cooked pumpkin, puréed)

3 C Chicken broth

Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

4 T Sour cream

Cilantro leaves, for garnish

2 Small pumpkins, optional

Directions:

Heat oil in a large pan. Add leeks and garlic. Cook gently until softened but not colored. Add ginger and cumin and cook, stirring, for a further minute. 

Purée the mixture in a food processor or blender. 

Mix pumpkin and chicken broth in a medium-large pot. Add puréed mixture and heat to boiling. Cover and simmer for as long as desired to blend the flavors. Add salt and pepper to taste. 

Serve topped with sour cream and cilantro. 

Optional pumpkin bowls: Carefully cut pumpkins in half. Scoop out insides, scraping well. Place upright on a baking sheet and brush top edges with oil. Bake at 325 degrees for 35 minutes. Brush with oil again. 

Serves: 4

* My mom's recipe