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Indian Chickpea and Pumpkin Soup

Course Soup
Cuisine India
Keyword Pumpkin
Servings 4

Ingredients

Soup:

  • 3/4 cup chickpeas dried
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 inch piece cinnamon stick
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 dried whole red chilies
  • 1 tomato chopped
  • 1 cup pumpkin cooked, unsweetened
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Tempering:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon urad dal*
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds brown
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon coriander ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

Garnish:

  • 1/4 cup dried unsweetened coconut flakes

Instructions

  1. Rinse the chickpeas under cold running water and soak overnight in a bowl covered in several inches of water with a little yogurt whey or lemon juice added.
  2. Drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas and add to a medium saucepan. Cover with 4 cups of fresh cold water, add the cinnamon stick, and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1/2 hours or until the chickpeas are soft and buttery. Discard the cinnamon and set aside.
  3. Heat a large saucepan or soup pot over medium heat. When hot, toss in the olive oil, wait a few moments, then swirl around to coat the pan. Add the whole chilies, stir for 30 seconds, then add the tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the pumpkin and continue to cook, stirring, for another 3 or 4 minutes.
  4. Discard the chilies. Pour in the chickpeas along with their cooking liquid, and bring the soup to a low boil. Turn the heat down to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and purée the soup until smooth using a hand blender or in batches in a countertop blender. Season with salt and set aside.
  6. To temper the soup, heat a small frying pan or saucepan over medium heat. When hot, add the olive oil, wait a few moments, then swirl to coat the bottom. Toss in the tempering seeds and spices, and stir until the mustard seeds begin to pop. Remove from heat and pour the seasoning into the soup. Let sit for a few moments to let the flavors mingle before stirring into the soup.
  7. Meanwhile, toast the coconut over low heat in a small saucepan for 10 minutes, stirring or tossing frequently, until lightly browned.
  8. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with a scattering of toasted coconut.

Recipe Notes

*Indian lentil

 

Recipe by Lisa Turner / Published on November 15, 2009 / https://foodandspice.blogspot.com