Festive Pumpkin Soup Recipe

Acupuncture Victoria

This pumpkin soup is not only easy to prepare, delicious, and perfect for Thanksgiving, but it also aligns with the principles of Chinese Medicine. Its warm, nourishing ingredients help strengthen your digestive system and build immunity, making it ideal for fall and winter. According to Chinese Medicine, the soup supports your Spleen and Stomach, tonifies Qi, and provides gentle warmth to balance the colder energy of the season. 

In short, to make it: bake and blend it!

Acupuncture Victoria
Acupuncture Victoria
Acupuncture Victoria

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole pumpkin
  • 1 medium butternut squash
  • 2 sweet potatoes
  • 3 carrots
  • 1 large red onion
  • 2 whole garlic heads
  • 7 cups of your favorite bone/chicken/vegetable broth or water
  • Olive oil
  • Toasted pumpkin seeds and sumac for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Wash and dry the whole pumpkin. Cut off the top, remove the seeds, rub the inside and outside with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Cover the pumpkin with foil and bake for 1.5 hours.
  3. On a separate baking tray, cut the butternut squash in half and remove the seeds. Cut the sweet potatoes (face down), carrots, and onion in half. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper (optional). Wrap the garlic heads in foil and place them on the tray. Roast everything for 1 hour, or until the veggies are soft.
  4. Once the vegetables are ready, transfer all (except the whole pumpkin) to a pot. Add your broth or water and puree until smooth.
  5. Bring the soup to a gentle boil and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and for the ingredients to release their nourishing properties.
  6. Transfer the baked pumpkin to a serving plate and pour the pureed soup into the hollow pumpkin.
  7. Optional: Toast pumpkin seeds with olive oil, salt, and sumac for garnish, and serve on the side.

Chinese Medicine Benefits:

  • Supports the Spleen and Stomach: Pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash are naturally sweet and warm, strengthening the Spleen Qi (vital for digestion and energy production). They help combat dampness and improve digestive function.
  • Tonifies Qi: This soup helps replenish Qi (vital energy), promoting overall vitality and immune support, especially as the body prepares for colder months.
  • Warms the Body: The warm, cooked nature of this dish is perfect for Yang deficiency or those prone to feeling cold. Roasting the vegetables increases their warming nature, providing a soothing effect during fall and winter.
  • Boosts Immunity: Garlic and onion add pungency, which helps clear pathogens and strengthen the Wei Qi (defensive energy) to protect against colds and flu.
  • Improves Digestion: The combination of warming, cooked vegetables and easily digestible broth helps regulate digestion and assimilation of nutrients, reducing bloating and enhancing gut health.

 

Enjoy this seasonal, nourishing soup that balances your body and supports your health!