Sweet Potato Kabocha Soup Recipe
Kabocha Soup:
This is my daughter Bella’s favorite soup. I brought her a vat of it when she had her baby. Still she doesn’t seem to tire of it and now enjoys it with her baby. I always notice with pleasure that all kids big and small love it! A snap to make: All aboard, then cream it at the end of cooking.
Kabocha, tiny red lentils, sweet potatoes all pull in their weight to impart naturally sweet layers of flavor, and contribute to the silky texture and bright orange shade of the finished soup.
Kabocha is my favorite squash of all.
No hit-or-miss surprises. Lean, dense, meaty, deeply flavored, nutritious—there’s nothing you can’t do with it: Kabocha soup, stews, even salads, grated raw, skin and all!
Ingredients
- 1 kabocha squash, about 2 pounds, unpeeled, seeded, and cut into large chunks (use a hammer)
- 1 large sweet potato, cut into large chunks
- 1 large red onion, cut into large chunks
- 1 cup tiny red lentils (Passover: double up on the sweet potato)
- 6 ribs celery, peeled
- 1 large bunch dill, fronds and stems
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 6 bay leaves, or 1 teaspoon ground
- 1 tablespoon turmeric
- Sea salt to taste
- 3 quarts (12 cups) water
- Ground pepper to taste
Instructions
Bring all ingredients to boil in a wide heavy pot.
Reduce the flame to medium, cover, and cook 1 hour.
Cream the soup with an immersion blender. Adjust the texture and seasonings. Makes a dozen ample servings
Remove bay leaf before blending!
I think Debbie Rubin asked a great question, “What is the difference in taste and/or texture of the soup when using the red lentils as compared to using the yellow split peas?” The favor of your expert reply, for those of us trying to decide which one to use, is greatly appreciated…Thank you.
I think I did answer that. It’s all about the flavor, no other reason, and no expertise needed here. I developed the recipe, just as I do all of my recipes. And the choice of the grain I have here is I believe the right one. Those of you who have my books, especially the last one, know that there’s never a time where a dish would benefit from some variations without my mentioning it. Having said that, if you want to use lentils instead of peas or vice versa, and you like the finished dish, by all means enjoy it. And let me know how it comes out!
what is the difference in taste and/or texture of the soup when using the red lentils or the yellow split peas?
Debbie, this is not the question. Its not only the texture we want, its the flavor. Lentils and peas are certainly not interchangeable in this recipe, and in quite a few others.
does kabocha squash have another name?
i can’t seem to find it in my grocery store?
No, kabocha is the right name. Look for it in a good produce store, especially in Latin neighborhoods but it’s available pretty much everywhere