Cajun Style Fresh Pumpkin Soup With Bacon

Try something different for the holidays, this Cajun style pumpkin soup is made with fresh pumpkin puree.

Start a new holiday tradition, make this your new signature dish- no one needs to know how quick and easy it is to make.

This is not your grandmothers pumpkin soup, it is rich and spicy without the usual pumpkin (pie) flavor.

This recipe is very forgiving and can easily be adjusted to fit the servings needed.

Don't have any fresh pumpkin puree?

I have an Instructable for that, "Steaming Pumpkins for Reciepe Use: Pies, Bread, and Soup."

Canned pumpkin can be subsituted for fresh puree but with a loss of flavor/texture.

Step 1: Ingredients

Ingredients to make 10 servings:

5 cups chicken stock

5 cups fresh pumpkin puree

1/4 teaspoons salt

1-2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning -season to taste

1 cup finely chopped onion

2 cloves minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme (optional)

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (or evaporated milk)

10 strips bacon

Step 2: Cooking Instructions

Cook bacon until crisp remove and crumble, reserve 3-4 tablespoons of bacon drippings in pan.

Into the hot bacon drippings saute the finely chopped onion for 3 minutes, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute longer.

Add the chicken stock, salt, pumpkin puree, thyme,and Cajun seasoning, stir well.

Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes uncovered,stirring occasionally.

Two minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream (evaporated milk.).