Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Thanksgiving - Kabocha Squash Coconut Soup

 In my previous posts, I set the table for Thanksgiving. Now it is time to think of what to cook.  For my Thanksgiving menu, I would like to keep the integrity of the traditional menu combined with my ethnic touch.
Kabocha squash coconut soup with a touch of cayenne, ginger and saffron is a hit at my Thanksgiving table and is a favorite of mine. I hope it becomes yours, too.

Kabocha Squash Coconut Soup 



Serves 8
• 3 pounds kabocha squash, quartered and seeded
• melted butter for brushing
• 6 cups milk, divided
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 20 fresh or dry curry leaves
• one 13.5 ounce can coconut milk
• ½ teaspoon cayenne
• ½ teaspoon ground dry ginger
• ½ teaspoon lightly packed saffron
• 2 teaspoons salt
garnish
• fried curry leaves
• paprika
Preheat oven to 400º F. Brush the flesh side of the squash with melted butter. Set the squash on a sheet pan, flesh side up. Roast for 35 - 40 minutes or until flesh is soft.
Scoop flesh from the squash and puree in the food processor using 2 cups of milk. Puree in batches if necessary.
Heat oil in a medium stockpot over medium heat. When oil is hot, add curry leaves. As soon as curry leaves crisp up, add pureed squash along with coconut milk and rest of the 4 cups of milk. Bring it to simmer. Stir in cayenne, ginger, saffron and salt. Continue to simmer for another 5 - 10 minutes. Season to taste. Ladle soup into the soup bowls, and garnish with curry leaves, and sprinkling of paprika, and serve.

Pomegranate glazed turkey is a star at my Thanksgiving table.  For the recipe, please check out my book  Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen


7 comments:

  1. Pomegranate glazed turkey? That sounds delicious. I love the way it looks on the tray and those little clumps of pomegranate look like tiny little rubies. How pretty. I'm afraid I had to lookup what a Kabocha squash was, but it does look very good. I've never had squash or pumpkin soup, but I would love to try making some. Thank you for sharing your lovely traditional food with the ethnic touch :-)

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  2. wow that looks so wonderful, the turkey is a nice touch with the pomegranate glaze, I will have to try that, thanks...

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  3. Beautiful!! I haven't heard of that kind of squash.

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  4. That turkey looks amazing!

    Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

    - The Tablescaper

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  5. Hi Komali,
    Its wonderful to hear from you , about my blog ... and talk about a book ... I had to visit you.God! am I glad you e-mailed me ...I will sure go and check out your book ... wish you the very best with the book ... you are such an inspiration ... I have had a book on my mind for a while ... I think I'll get a good load of tips from you ...:)

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