Roasted Pumpkin + Apple Soup with Goat’s Cheese + Bacon
I’m reposting this ROASTED PUMPKIN + APPLE SOUP WITH GOAT’S CHEESE + BACONi recipe today, prompted by a lovely email I received last week from Elizabeth McCabe, a fellow Celt here in Sydney. Elizabeth mentioned how much she’s enjoyed making this dish, along with my Pork & Ricotta Cannelloni recipe every winter. In fact, it’s become a cherished tradition for her, but she could no longer find the recipes. It truly warmed my heart to hear how these dishes have become such a special part of her winters, so I thought it was the perfect time to share this recipe again. Whether you make it as cannelloni or a lasagne, I hope it brings as much comfort to your kitchen as it has to hers!
serves 4
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you will need
1kg pumpkin, peeled, seeds removed, cut into 3cm pieces
1 tsp cumin seeds
3 tsp chopped sage leaves
70ml olive oil
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, cut into 3cm pieces
250g rindless free-range bacon rashers, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1.25L (5 cups) free-range chicken stock
120g goat’s cheese
Lightly toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas), to serve
Preheat the oven to 180˚C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
Place the pumpkin, cumin, sage and 2 tbs oil in a large bowl and season, then toss to combine. Tip onto the tray, arrange in a single layer and roast for 10-15 minutes. Add apple and cook for a further 10 minutes or until tender.
Meanwhile, heat another 2 tsp oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add bacon and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until golden. Set aside to drain on paper towel.
Heat the remaining 1 tbs oil in the frying pan. Add the onion, garlic and a pinch of salt, then cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Transfer to a blender with pumpkin mixture, 2 cups (500ml) stock and half the cheese, then whiz until smooth. Return to pan with remaining 3 cups (750ml) stock. Cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes until reduced slightly. Season.
To serve, sprinkle bacon, seeds and remaining goat’s cheese over soup.
To make this a vegetarian dish simply omit the bacon.