This Jamaican Pumpkin Soup makes me think of the Caribbean. When we visited Jamaica, we got to eat a delicious and authentic pumpkin soup. And the memory of it is prompted whenever it’s pumpkin season here. That soup was velvety smooth, with the flavours of coconut, ginger, and nutmeg. There was a hint of both orange and lime and it was just the right bite of spice. It was like tasting the tropics in a bowl.
Pumpkins In The Caribbean
In the Caribbean, pumpkins are often called calabaza, or just winter squash. Calabaza, or tropical pumpkins, are a little different from our North American pumpkins, being green skinned instead of orange. The flesh of the calabaza is perfectly orange, though, and the taste is very similar to both pumpkin and butternut squash. Did you know that pumpkins and squash, melons, and cucumbers all originate from one single ancestral seed? Check out this fascinating read for more: The Evolutionary Event That Gave You Pumpkins and Squash
Choose Your Peppers, Hot, or Not
Since I’m always a fan of using what’s available locally, I’m using the small pumpkin that I bought at the farmer’s market which has been cheerfully decorating my kitchen island this week. Usually this soup is traditionally not pureed, instead it has chunks of vegetables in a broth. Often, a Jamaican pumpkin soup will have a Scotch Bonnet or Habanero pepper, which are extremely hot. I didn’t want to overpower the pumpkin spice flavour of this soup, so I left out the chili pepper and used a hot sauce for garnish.
Jamaican Pumpkin Soup, Canadian Style
So obviously I’m taking a lot of liberties with the authenticity of this Jamaican Pumpkin Soup. It may not be authentic but it is so delicious, and makes great use of fresh pumpkin, one of the stars of the season. You may even hear the sounds of steel drums and feel the sea breezes when you taste this soup.
And if soup is your thing, here are a couple more ideas for you: Vegetable Miso Soup; Chicken Vegetable Noodle Soup, or Salmon Chowder.
How to Make Jamaican Pumpkin Soup
Jamaican Pumpkin Soup is easy to make, healthy, and packed with the delicious flavour of the Caribbean.
- 2 tbsp peanut oil
- 1 onion diced
- 2 carrots peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 6 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 cups peeled and cubed pumpkin flesh
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 14 oz can light or regular coconut milk
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- Juice of one lime
- salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Sriracha or other hot sauce for garnish.
- In a large pot, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic, and turn heat to medium low, cooking until onions are translucent and vegetables are slightly tender.
- Add stock, bay leaves and pumpkin flesh. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover, simmering until pumpkin is tender, about 20 minutes.
- Add allspice, nutmeg, ginger, coconut milk, orange and lime juice. Use an immersion blender right in the pot to puree until velvety smooth. Alternately, you can transfer in small batches to a blender or food processor, being careful not to process too much at once (or you will get splashed with hot soup).
- Reheat to boiling point, then remove from heat and season with salt & pepper to taste. Serve in bowls with a drizzle of hot sauce on top.
When you prepare your pumpkin, save the seeds and toast them, for a heathy and delicious snack or salad topping.
Pumpkin flesh can vary in color from pale yellow to deep orange. If your pumpkin isn't as brightly coloured as you would like, add a tablespoon or two of turmeric to get that nice orange hue.
Any flavour it does impart is very complimentary and it will give just the right colour boost to your soup.
Nice job on a great looking soup! I have no doubt this will be a healthy, and spicy favourite this fall in our home. Your choice of ingredients I’m sure will be full of flavour. It’s always a treat to read a positive review of our new Chipotle Chinook Gourmet Sauce too!! Thank you for this. We notice the way you drizzled it on your soup is exactly how we have been using this sauce for many years. Like you mentioned we use it on many other food groups. We will try the soup between now and Halloween and share our experience. Glad to be part of your foodie group here!
Thanks Chris. Your sauce is awesmome!
Loving the concept of pairing coconut and orange with pumpkin. It feels very tropical! I just bought a can of coconut milk and have an extra pumpkin sitting around so might have to give this a try.
That sounds awesome, I love a bit of spice with pumpkin the sweet earthy tones really do take to a good chick of chili so very well, looking forward to trying this!
Hi Brian, if you like a bit of spice with pumpkin, you will love this soup!
Love the sound of this soup. I make a sweet potato soup with coconut milk. The combo is yummy. Def want to try this one with ginger, nutmeg and allspice too. I’m sure it’s delicious!
Hi Jacqueline, those spices are really amazing in this soup!
Pumpkin soup sounds so delicious!! And this one looks fabulous, will be trying soon!
It really is delicious, Kim. I know you’ll love it!
Pumpkin is in the air .. It is a beautiful Pumpkin Soup with a twist of Orange Soup and spices. Looks really delicious.
Yes, pumpkins everywhere at this time of year. And this soup is really delicious. Thanks for stopping by, Sandhya!
Love, love, love this idea so much! What great flavors for a pumpkin soup. SO unique!
Thanks Danielle! I also love how simple it is to make this soup, too.