Pumpkin and Lentil Soup heralds Halloween.

Hi there
Autumn in Wisconsin, is definitely about pumpkins - they are everywhere - all shapes and sizes, some too pretty to cut into.  And of course it is nearly Halloween.  America does Halloween better than Australia, perhaps because it originated there - but what I liked about it was that there was a high level of supervision of the trickers and the treaters, a definite time set for this dental disaster, and the high degree of participation. 

Of course we have to have a pumpkin dish - this hearty soup from Bill Granger's latest book, "Bill's Basics" which is wonderfully textured, and spice laden.  And of course,  nutritious, and low in fat and sugar to help you to 'Fit in your Jeans

Clara
ps I think I'll wear the batlady outfit for Halloween.

Spiced Pumpkin and Lentil  Soup
1.5 kg/3lbs butternut pumpkin, peeled, cut into 3cm cubes
750 g / 1.5 lb tomatoes, quartered
6 garlic cloves, peeled
1 small carrot, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil (or less)
1/2 to 1 tsp dried chilli flakes
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground coriander (or fresh coriander chopped
2 tsp paprika
5 cups vegetable or chicken stock
3/4 cup red lentils


to serve
yoghurt
crusty bread
sumac - (optional)


Preheat oven to 180 C.  put the pumpkin, tomatoes, garlic and carrot in a large flameproof casserole dish, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with spices and season with sea salt and ground black pepper.  Cover the dish and bake for 1 1/2 hours or until the vegetables are soft.


Roughly mash the vegetables with a fork or potato masher and stir in the stock.  Put the casserole dish on the the stovetop over medium heat and bring to the boil.


Add the lentils, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 mins until lentils are tender. Add a little extra stock or water if the soup becomes too thick.  Season and ladel into bowls.  Top with a dollop of yoghurt and a sprinkle of sumac and serve with crusty bread.
Serves 4-6

Pumpkin Nutrition
A dead giveaway is the bright orange colour that it is loaded with an important anti- oxidant, beta carotene.   Current research indicates that a diet rich in beta carotene offers protection from degenerative diseases and aspects of ageing.
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