Chipotle Pumpkin Soup

INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 to 2 chipotle peppers canned in adobo (1 for mild, 2 for spicy), chopped
- 8 cups chopped, cooked pumpkin, or 1 (15-ounce) can of pumpkin
- 4 to 6 cups chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
- 2 teaspoons salt, more to taste
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Toasted, shelled pumpkin seeds, cilantro, and crema fresca, to garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large stockpot or dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook 3 to 4 minutes, until soft. Add garlic, cumin, and chipotle, cooking an additional minute.
- Stir in the pumpkin, chicken stock, oregano, and salt. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat and simmer partially covered for 20 minutes.
- Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth.
- Stir in lime juice and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds, a drizzle of crema fresca, and cilantro.
Notes:
- If you can’t find canned chipotle in adobo, you can substitute chipotle powder. Start with 1 teaspoon and increase, to taste.
- If the soup is too thick for your liking, you can add more chicken stock, a little at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- For a special touch, serve well-garnished soup in a hollowed out pumpkin, instead of a bowl.