Savory pumpkin mades a
delicious and creamy base for all kinds of soup. This one includes
tiny pasta as well as yogurt and Romano cheese. It's elegant
enough for a first course, with its garnishes of walnuts and
cilantro, but it's hearty enough for a full meal with a salad
and some crusty bread.
Savory Pumpkin
and Pasta Soup
1 (20-ounce) can pumpkin
3 1/2 cups water
2 cups milk
2 cloves medium garlic, minced
1 teaspoon vegetable base or bouillon granules or 1 cube
1/4 cup tiny pasta
3/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup freshly grated Romano cheese
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup walnuts, toasted and minced
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 lemon, cut into wedges
In a large stockpot, combine
pumpkin, water, milk, garlic and bouillon cube; bring to a boil.
Stir in pasta. Cook until al dente, about 7 minutes.
Add parsley, nutmeg, allspice,
salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in cheese and butter.
Whisk a few tablespoons of hot soup into yogurt to blend. Whisk
in a few more tablespoons of hot soup to gradually heat yogurt
so it does not curdle when added to soup. When a warm, thin consistency
is achieved, stir yogurt into soup.
Serve immediately in heated
serving bowls. Garnish with walnuts, cilantro and lemon wedges.
