Ethiopian-Spiced Kabocha Squash Soup

Cozy up with a heat bowl of creamy, nutrient-rich Kabocha Squash Soup – the last word consolation meals for cold winter days! This easy-to-prepare recipe delivers a taste and dietary punch, made with an anti-inflammatory Ethiopian spice mix, hearty winter squash, and a touch of ginger for further heat.   

This submit was initially written on February 13, 2013. It was up to date with new recipe data and pictures on November 22, 2024.

This roasted kabocha squash soup is bliss in a bowl. It delivers a comfy, satisfying taste alongside a powerhouse of plant-based vitamins excellent for winter wellness. Roasting the kabocha squash brings out its pure sweetness and velvety texture, which provides the soup a creamy richness when blended with out the necessity for dairy! 

Mixed with sautéed carrots, onion, garlic, and ginger, every soothing chunk of this vegan squash soup is filled with important nutritional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to assist assist immunity, heat, and well-being throughout the colder winter months. 

The key ingredient is a vibrant, fragrant Ethiopian Berbere spice mix. It sometimes accommodates as much as 12 or extra spices similar to chili peppers, paprika, ginger, garlic powder, fenugreek, coriander, cumin, cardamom, and cinnamon (to call a couple of) to create a heat, barely spicy, and complicated taste profile. The spices, squash, and veggies make every spoonful of this healthful kabocha soup recipe a nourishing deal with to your physique and soul. 

For extra vegan soup recipes, attempt my Candy Potato Soup, Curried Parsnip Soup, or Vegan Butternut Squash Soup.

Elements 

Kabocha Squash: This Japanese winter squash (additionally known as Japanese pumpkin) is thought for its candy, nutty taste and clean, creamy texture when roasted. Select a squash that feels heavy for its dimension and has a agency, unblemished rind. When you can’t discover kabocha squash, substitute with butternut squash for the same taste and texture. I don’t love much less candy winter squashes like acorn on this recipe. You could possibly even exchange the kabocha with candy potatoes.

Coconut Oil: Provides a touch of richness with a delicate sweetness and helps improve the creamy texture of the Japanese squash soup. Swap with further virgin olive oil for a extra impartial, barely fruity taste. 

Berbere Spice Mix: This conventional Ethiopian spice mix provides a warming, fragrant, barely spicy depth of taste, which generally consists of 12 or extra spices. Discover a pre-made spice mix at a spice store, specialty grocery retailer, or on-line. I counsel manufacturers like Frontier Co-op or Eleni’s Kitchen or make your personal mix. 

Carrots: Carry a pure, earthy sweetness that enhances the squash. For the most effective taste, select agency, brightly coloured common desk carrots as an alternative of child carrots. 

Onion: Diced yellow onion gives a savory base that enhances the kabocha squash soup vegan flavors. Or use white or candy onion for a barely sweeter style. 

Garlic: Provides a savory, fragrant high quality that elevates kombucha soup recipes. Mince entire garlic cloves for probably the most sturdy style, or use pre-minced store-bought garlic for comfort. 

Ginger: Recent minced ginger provides a zesty, warming kick that contributes to the soup’s depth and affords anti-inflammatory advantages. 

Water or Vegetable Broth: These add moisture to the soup. Use low-sodium broth if desired to regulate the seasoning of the soup.

Vegetable Bouillon Paste: When you select to make use of water as an alternative of vegetable broth, add Higher Than Bouillon vegetable bouillon paste to reinforce the soup’s taste. That is my desire.

The best way to Make Kabocha Squash Soup 

• Put together the kabocha squash. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lower the kabocha squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. 
• Roast the squash. Drizzle a little bit of olive oil over every squash half, then place them cut-side down on a baking sheet. Roast for about half-hour, or till the flesh is fork tender. Take away from the oven and let it cool till you’ll be able to deal with it comfortably. 

• Sauté the veggies. In a big pot, warmth the coconut oil over medium-high warmth. As soon as the oil has melted and is heat, add the onion, minced garlic, and ginger to the pot and stir. Prepare dinner till the onions are translucent.
• Add the spice. Then add the Berbere spice mix. Toast the spices with the onions for about 20 seconds, stirring sometimes, to launch and intensify their flavors. 

• Add the carrots and liquid. Add the carrots and the water or vegetable broth to the pot and convey it to a simmer. As soon as it begins to simmer, add the vegetable bouillon paste (if utilizing). Proceed to simmer till the carrots are fork tender, about 20 minutes.

• Add the squash. When the carrots are tender, and the squash is roasted, fastidiously scoop out the flesh of the kabocha squash and add it to the pot. Stir it properly, then take away from the warmth.
• Mix. Insert an immersion blender into the pot and puree the soup. When you don’t have an immersion blender, let the soup cool for 5-10 minutes or till cool sufficient to fastidiously switch it to a blender. Take away the lid vent, drape it with a clear dish towel, and mix on medium velocity till clean.

• Serve. Season the pureed Japanese pumpkin soup to style with extra Berbere, salt, and pepper. Garnish with recent cilantro and serve!

Jenné’s Recipe Professional-Suggestions 

• Season the squash earlier than roasting. For an excellent richer squash taste, sprinkle a pinch of salt and cinnamon on the squash halves after drizzling them with olive oil earlier than roasting. 
• Deal with the squash with care. Wait to deal with the roasted squash till it’s a secure temperature to forestall burning your self. As soon as it’s cooled down, you’ll be able to take away the internal flesh. 
• Regulate the spice to style. Berbere is usually a bit spicy, so begin with the really useful quantity and regulate as wanted. When you choose a milder kabocha squash soup, begin with much less Berbere and add it progressively, tasting as you go.
• Mix. As soon as the soup has completed cooking and the greens are tender, mix the soup till clean and creamy. Use an immersion blender immediately within the pot for ease, although a high-speed blender could make the soup extra silky and evenly blended. If utilizing the blender, go away the lid barely vented to launch steam and forestall sizzling splatters.
• Garnish. High every bowl with freshly chopped cilantro or your garnish of alternative so as to add a pop of shade and added texture. 

Kabocha Squash Soup Recipe Variations 

Customise your soup with the next non-compulsory variations: 

• Additional Creamy: Stir in ¼ cup of full-fat coconut cream or cashew milk simply earlier than serving for an excellent richer, creamier soup. This enhances the soup’s pure sweetness and provides a velvety end. 
• Spice Mix: When you don’t have Berbere, you’ll be able to obtain an identical heat and depth of taste through the use of one of many following:
  • 1 teaspoon of curry powder with ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon of Garam Masala with a pinch of cayenne pepper to style
  • 1 teaspoon of chili powder, ½ teaspoon of cumin, and a small pinch of cinnamon to style. 
• Veggie Enhance: Add 1 medium diced and peeled candy potato or 2 medium diced and peeled parsnips while you sauté the carrots. Regulate the cooking time till all of the greens are tender. 
• Herbs: Combine in ½ cup of recent, roughly chopped parsley or basil leaves simply earlier than serving. This provides a burst of freshness that enhances the earthly flavors. 
• Citrus: Add the juice of ½ lemon or 1 lime simply earlier than serving for a refreshing steadiness to the wealthy soup. 
• Protein: Stir in 1 15-ounce can of rinsed and drained chickpeas about 10 minutes earlier than the soup finishes cooking for added protein or texture. Alternatively, high every bowl with ¼ cup of roasted chickpeas for further crunch.   
• Nutty Garnish: High the soup with ¼ cup of toasted pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or 2 tablespoons of chopped roasted tamari almonds for a crunchy, nutritious garnish.

Serving Recommendations 

Serve this hearty kabocha squash recipe soup for any event, whether or not it’s a comfy dinner or a festive gathering. Pair with a aspect of crusty bread for a easy but scrumptious meal or a few of our favourite recipes beneath for a full-spread meal:

Storage Instructions

• Refrigeration: Permit leftover soup to chill utterly earlier than transferring to an hermetic container and storing for as much as 3-4 days. 
• Freezing: Pour cooled soup into single serving containers or one giant hermetic container for as much as 3 months. Go away a little bit area on the high of the container to permit the soup to increase because it freezes. Thaw within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating. 
• Reheating: Reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium warmth, stirring sometimes till it reaches your required temperature. 

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