FANTASTIC PUMPKIN SOUP

This has the be one of the nicest ways to have pumpkin. It is absolutely delicious. There is, or can be a kick to it, if you include hot peppers i.e. chillies. But this is not necessary. It is good for children, and you too, as it contains lots of yellow/orange veggies. It can be creamed, just mashed, or served with big lumps.

Ingredients

(serves 4-5 people - as a main meal)

1 small pumpkin, or half a large one, cubed
1 large orange sweet potato, cubed
1 large onion, chopped
1-2 cloves garlic, chopped
large handful corriander (fresh and chopped)
large handful parsley (fresh and chopped)
1 large tomato, chopped
1 small bird pepper (chilli), finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh chopped thyme
1 organic chicken stock cube
1 tablespoon sunflower or olive oil
1 tablespoon paprika
salt to taste (seasalt)
1 litre water


(optional - chopped chunks of boiled ham or gammon)

Method

- Heat oil in a large saucepan
- fry onions till soft
- add pumpkin and fry for 2-3 mins
- add garlic, tomato, chilli, and fry fo a minute
- add half the water and let it boil for about 5 minutes
- add half the corriander, half the parsley and all the thyme
- cover and lower heat. Simmer for 10 minutes
- add sweet potato, stock cube, paprika and salt.
- turn down heat and simmer for another 15 mins
- add (ham), rest of corriander, parsley and water
- keep on low heat until cooked to taste
- mash roughly with a potato masher


Serve with warm white/brown seeded rolls

* This is not 'hot' even though it has one chilli pepper
* can be liquidised
* can be served with Creme Fraiche