Roasted Kuri Squash Soup with Harissa & Crispychickpeas

—Not On Website, Soup

Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Servings: Yield: 4 category: soup Source:

Ingredients

1 Kuri Squash ( or small pumpkin, or acorn squash)

1 can chickpeas, rinsed ( or 1 cup soaked, dry garbanzos), patted dry.

1–2 teaspoons olive oil, pinch salt, pinch pepper and generous pinch smoked paprika

2 Tablespoon coconut oil, ghee or butter

½ onion- diced

1 apple – diced

3 garlic cloves

1 teaspoon cumin seeds (or ground)

1 teaspoon coriander seeds (or ground)

1 teaspoon caraway seeds

1 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

¼ teaspoon cayenne (for medium spicy)

½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon maple syrup

1 teaspoon kosher salt

4– 4 ½ cups water or stock

Garnish – plain yogurt, “smoked yogurt” crispy chickpeas, toasted pumpkin seeds, chopped cilantro and scallions

Directions

Pre heat Oven to 425F

Cut squash in half lengthwise, scrape out seeds with a spoon and place on a parchment lined baking sheet, open side down.Roast squash in the oven for 40 minutes or until very tender and soft and caramelized.

To make crispy chick peas, drain and rinse chick peas, Dry well with paper towels. toss with olive oil ( enough to lightly coat) salt, pepper and smoked paprika and spread out on separate sheet pan.

Roast chickpeas,until crispy about 20 minutes.

In a medium pot, heat coconut oil over medium high. Saute onion and apple for 2-3 minutes, stirring, then add garlic, turning heat down to medium. Saute a few more minutes until garlic is fragrant and golden and onions are tender. Add spices and toast for 1 minute, stirring.

Remove from heat.

Add the onion, apple mix to the blender with 1 cup of water (use this to rinse out the pot). Blend well, taking care to cover blender with a towel, holding lid down VERY tightly. Blend until spices and onions are very smooth. Place back in the pot. Blend the squash with the remaining water ( or stock) until very smooth, and place back in the pot. Heat over medium low heat, adding vinegar and maple. Adjust salt.

Serve with a swirl of plain yogurt or “smoked yogurt”, crispy chickpeas, toasted pumpkin seeds, Aleppo chili flakes, and fresh cilantro.

Notes

Notes: Instead of the spices you could stir in a few teaspoons or more to taste, of harissa paste. The “smoked Yogurt” is basically plain yogurt mixed with a bit of smoked paprika.