Wednesday 16 June 2010

Pumpkin and Orange Soup


Well it looks like Autumn outside our house.  But it sure feels like Winter out there today.  We have a lovely big ball of sunshine beaming down on us so inside we are cosy and warm.  The perfect morning to put on a pot of soup.

Would you like a new soup recipe?  My mother made this for me a few weeks ago and I've just got around to making some myself.  It sounds quite weird because it has orange zest in it, but believe me, it's delicious!

Right now, you need a crock pot if you have one, or a large pot if you don't.  I love the ease of cooking in my crock pot but don't use it nearly as often as I should.  Probably because I tend to put off thinking about dinner until five. 

Cut up, or grate if you are keen, one big piece of pumpkin.  Mine is one of those grey skin ones, but any will do.  I've cut my pieces into thin slices.

Add 2 large carrots, or four smaller ones
One large kumera
2 stalks celery
tin crushed tomatoes
1 packet of onion soup mix
600mls water
2 tsps basil (didn't have any of this)
salt and pepper
zest of half an orange


For those of you not familiar with the vegetable kumera, it's a New Zealand veggie often called a sweet potato.  It's hard like a carrot, sweet tasting and lovely roasted.  There isn't really a substitute, but you could add something like a swede or parsnip I guess.  Now I 'm wondering if you have those either!  Oh well, like all soups you just add what you like.

Put it all into slow cooker on low for the day or high for shorter time. Whizz it up for a thick soup, or leave as is.  I will probably leave mine as it is as I quite like chunky soups.  My kumera probably should have been cut up smaller, but I'm not prepared to take it all out and re cut it.  I have better things to do.

It sure looks good in there.  I'm hoping by lunch time it will be ready to eat.  I have the three school girls coming home at 1pm for parent/teacher interviews.  Ours aren't until 5 and 5.30pm so we will have the whole afternoon to do something nice.  I think haircuts are on the menu, for me as well as the girls.  I can't wait to loose some of my length.

Well now my hands are freezing cold as there isn't any sun in this room.  Must go and thaw out then I can get on with those jolly Grannies once again.  Happy days!

Next time I'll have some new doilies and mats to show and tell about.

11 comments:

sallgood said...

I lovr pumpkin soups- and even though it's Spring here, it's very cool, so soup sounds yummy!

Lisa said...

yummy yummy

No apron yet...or an email to say mine is received..

Lisa

Me and Ma said...

I planted some small pumpkin plants in our allotment last week, they should be ready for the end of October. I make pumpkin soup, but roast the pumpkin before adding to the soup :)

Willeke said...

I love pumpkin soups. The colours of this soup already make my mouth water.

Serenata said...

Mmmm, love pumpkin soup - haven't made it since I left NZ!

Currently have a batch of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven thanks to you wonderful recipe!

Unknown said...

I love pumpkin soup! I make some every year at halloween, and last year I grew my own pumpkin. My seeds were not successful this time though :( Your recipe sounds so tasty. I put lemon in mine, so I will try orange next. Yummy, I put celery in too. We have parsnips and swede over here, so thats good. Thank you for you get well wishes, I am working on it now... quite day, lolling about for me I think! Have a lovely weekend Sarah! Suzie xxx

Anonymous said...

gorgeous Sarah, we have been using the crock pot heaps for soups too, it's a great super lazy way of cooking isn't it. Have a great weekend

Baa-Me Kniits said...

Orange zest....sounds fabulous! I add coconut cream, a teaspoon of thai curry paste and a dash of nutmeg to mine, will have to give the orange zest a try :-)

Jorth said...

Yum! Can you send a bowl over my way?

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah, thanks for the recipe, it sounds yummy but I think I'll have to use some substitutes and mine will be a Hungarian version of yours but anyway, thanks for it.
I closed Little Rose Cottage, I won't publish there anything.I continue blogging on MM (http://mankaminta.blogspot.com ) just in case you'd like to visit me )
hugs:Manka

Heidi said...

That soup looks divine and easy!!