"smoky" pumpkin soup

 
                            "Smoky" Pumpkin Soup
 
 Recipe By     : Peaceful Gatherings Cookbook, Federated Church,  Bolton, MA
 Serving Size  : 6    Preparation Time :1:30
 Categories    : Vegetables                       Soups (Hot), Stews & Chili
 
   Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
 --------  ------------  --------------------------------
    6       slices       bacon -- diced, cooked crisp
    4      tablespoons   unsalted butter
    6      cups          pumpkin -- peeled, cut up
    6      cups          beef stock
      1/2  cup           Marsala
    1      teaspoon      dried thyme
                         salt and pepper -- to taste
                         toasted pumpkin seeds -- for garnish
 
 Heat the bacon fat and butter in a stockpot over medium-high heat.  Add the
 pumpkin and saute for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Pour in the stock
 and simmer, covered, until the pumpkin is very  tender, about 30 minutes.
 Remove from heat.  Add the Marsala, thyme, salt, and pepper to taste.
 Process the soup in batches in a blender until smooth.  Return to the stock
 pot.  Add the bacon.  Simmer 10 minutes.  Serve immediately, garnished with
 pumpkin seeds.
 
 
 
 
 
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 NOTES : Contributed by Jan Barrett-Chow;  posted by Perry Lowell, Fidonet
 COOKING Echo, Jan. 1992