CARIBBEAN PUMPKIN SOUP

Caribbean Pumpkin Soup image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 medium cloves garlic, peeled
1 medium onion, peeled and quartered
1 large jalapeno pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
2 stalks celery, cut into 2-inch lengths
3 large carrots, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 3/4 pounds Kabocha squash (about half a small squash), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch dice
3 cups low-salt chicken stock, skimmed
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon turmeric
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 ripe plantain, cut into chunks
1/4 cup shelled raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon creme fraiche (optional)

Steps:

Place garlic in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add onion and pulse until finely chopped. Set aside. Place jalapeno in food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add celery and pulse until finely chopped. Set aside. Place carrots in food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a medium stockpot over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and saute, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 6 minutes. Add jalapeno, celery, and carrots and saute for 5 minutes. Add the squash, chicken stock, bay leaf, curry, turmeric, cayenne, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and pepper to taste, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and add the plantain. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small saute pan, heat remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add pumpkin seeds and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook for about 30 seconds, shaking pan constantly to prevent burning, until all the seeds have popped. Remove from heat and add parsley.
Place 2 cups of the cooked vegetables and about 1/2 cup of the liquid in the bowl of a food processor and puree until smooth. Stir puree back into the soup. Adjust seasonings, and stir in the creme fraiche, if desired. Garnish with roasted pumpkin seeds.