I don’t have a strong affinity for pumpkin; in fact, I hardly consume it more than a couple of times a year. However, I do enjoy the pumpkin subzi that my mother prepares during our yearly ritual of offerings to Goddess Mahalakshmi. This dish is part of the prasad and is especially tempting when made with copious amounts of oil, which we refer to as “tarri.” Occasionally, if our vegetable vendor sends a big chunk of this vegetable, I might use it, but aside from that, I don’t recall enjoying pumpkin as much as many people in America do.
Last night was one of those rare occasions when I had a stash of pumpkin lying in the refrigerator. After fasting all day for Mahashivratri, I found myself too exhausted to cook anything elaborate, so I opted for a plain and simple pumpkin soup. To my surprise, it turned out to be more delicious than I expected. I ended up eating two portions and I’m glad I still have some leftovers for “Souper Thursday.”
I encourage you to try my recipe soon and perfect it before the Thanksgiving holidays. I’m sure this soup will become the star of your table!
Let me present a few poetic lines in praise of the Pumpkin.
I got stung by Squash Bee
That peeled my skin
I think she thought that I was a Pumpkin.
I hope she enjoyed the taste
Of this humble Pumpkin Pie
There’s not much left in me
Before I die
Or maybe, she thought
I was the Pumpkin Flower
With abundant pollen
The layers inside me
Bruised and swollen
I feel I’m the stringy part of the flesh
That never makes it through the mesh.
Sameer S Nilatkar
Ingredients: ( For 3 portions )
Pumpkin – 400 gm
Vegetable stock – 500 ml
Milk – 275 ml
Butter – 3 tbsp
Salt – to taste
Pepper – a pinch
Parsley – a sprig ( optional )
Pumpkin seeds and Oil – 1 tbsp ( for garnish ) optional
Instructions:
1 ) Peel Pumpkin. Remove the seeds and the stringy part and cut them into small cubes.
2 ) Add just enough water to cook and boil till tender.
3 ) Press the Pumpkin through a sieve.
4 ) Add butter to pan. Add the milk, stock and Pumpkin. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and serve hot.
