🎃 Pumpkin & Chestnut Soup: An Easy Festive Winter Recipe – Neary
Published on • By Lou
Quick answer: To make a delicious butternut squash and chestnut soup perfect for the holidays 🥣, simply sauté an onion in a little oil, add the butternut squash (skin on!), pre-cooked chestnuts, a few warming spices, and a good stock. Let it simmer gently, then blend everything until you get a smooth and comforting texture. This soup is perfect for warming hearts in winter, surprising your guests at festive meals, and taking your taste buds on a journey with its sweet, woody notes and seasonal aromas!
🧺 Ingredients for pumpkin and chestnut soup
- 🎃 1 medium pumpkin (approx. 1kg)
- 🌰 400g pre-cooked chestnuts (vacuum-packed or in a jar)
- 🧅 1 yellow onion
- 🧄 2 cloves of garlic
- 💧 80 cl stock (vegetable or poultry)
- 🥄 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 🌿 1 sprig of thyme (or bay leaf)
- 🧂 1 pinch of salt, pepper
- ✨ 1 pinch of nutmeg or allspice (optional)
- 🥛 10 cl cream (plant-based or regular, topping)
💡 Need a cl to ml converter ? It's here! Opt for an organic, untreated butternut squash; it can be cooked with the skin on for more flavor and vitamins 🧡.
👩🍳 Preparation – step by step
Wash the butternut squash and remove the seeds. Cut it into cubes (no need to peel it, the skin becomes tender when cooked!). Finely chop the onion and garlic, and prepare the chestnuts. Leave a few whole chestnuts for garnish if you want a crunchy touch 😉.
In a large pot, sauté the onion in olive oil until translucent. Add the garlic, then the butternut squash cubes. Stir well and cook for 2-3 minutes over low heat to develop the flavors 🧅.
Add the crumbled chestnuts (reserve some for serving), the thyme, and a pinch of nutmeg. Mix and let it simmer gently so the flavors meld!
Cover with the hot broth. Season with salt and pepper, then simmer gently until the squash is very tender. Enjoy the autumnal aromas filling the kitchen 🍂.
Remove the thyme, then blend the mixture with a blender or immersion blender. Adjust the texture with a little water or cream. The soup should be smooth, velvety, and creamy!
Serve piping hot, add a dollop of cream, a few whole chestnuts, a grind of pepper and, why not, a sprinkle of toasted hazelnuts. It's the perfect festive soup for all your winter gatherings 🥄✨!
🌱 Tips and variations on pumpkin and chestnut soup
- 🎃 Use the pumpkin with the skin on for extra flavor and an ultra-velvety texture.
- 🌰 For an even more festive touch, dry-roast some chestnuts and place them on each bowl.
- 🥓 Add some crispy bacon bits or bacon for a more indulgent version!
- 🧑🌾 Replace the thyme with rosemary or add a bay leaf to vary the aromas.
- 🌾 Want a vegan version? Replace the cream with a plant-based alternative (oat, soy, almond…).
- 🥗 Discover the 100% seasonal homemade soup kit on the Neary shop to save time!
- 🍷 This soup is a perfect accompaniment to a festive meal as a starter, with a dry white wine or a light sparkling wine.
- 💡 Zero waste tip: roast the pumpkin seeds with a little salt, they're delicious as a topping!
❓ FAQ – Pumpkin & Chestnut Soup, the taste of the holidays
🎃 Do you need to peel the butternut squash?
No, that's what makes the kabocha squash so charming! Its skin becomes very tender when cooked and adds flavor. A simple wash is all it takes before cutting it into pieces.
🌰 Can canned chestnuts be used?
Yes, pre-cooked vacuum-packed or jarred chestnuts are perfect for this recipe. They save time and the taste is still there!
🍲 Can the soup be prepared in advance?
Of course! It keeps for 3 days in the fridge and reheats very well. It's even better the next day 🤩.
🥛 How to make the soup even creamier?
Add a splash of cream, a little mascarpone, or even a knob of butter at the end of cooking. For an ultra-velvety texture, adjust the amount of stock when blending.
🔥 Which spice should you choose for a festive touch?
Nutmeg, a hint of cinnamon or a four-spice blend bring a warm dimension typical of festive recipes!
🥗 Where can I find all the ingredients for this soup?
You can order a homemade soup kit from Neary, or find our selections on the soups blog .
📖 I want more festive soup ideas…
Discover even more delicious recipes on Papilles & Pupilles or on our soup blog !
Discover the 100% seasonal homemade soup kit or use our cl/ml converter .
Find all our gourmet soup recipes .
Recipe inspired by Papilles & Pupilles .
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