Pumpkin Soup Served in a Pumpkin (Potage au Potiron)
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There was a little farm near where we lived, in Alsace, in a small town by the name of Thann, where we got our pumpkins. My mother would make soup just this way; she served it in the pumpkin, too. We kids looked forward to it every year. Along the way I’ve improved it a little bit. I added the croutons, which I sauté in butter and salt. She didn’t do that. I love soup, and this soup in particular. We usually have Thanksgiving up in the Catskills, at our friends’ house. I always say I’m not cooking, and I end up cooking. This is what I make.
03Cover and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat remaining 6 tablespoons butter, and add bread slices, turning until lightly browned on both sides. Set aside half for garnish, and when soup has come to a boil, add remaining half to the soup.
04Gently simmer soup for 1 hour, stirring once or twice. The soup will be very thick; if it seems in danger of burning, reduce heat and stir in a small amount of broth or water.
05Add cream, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Using an immersion blender, purée the hot soup in the pot until very smooth. Alternatively, remove soup from heat and allow to cool until no longer steaming, then purée in a food processor or blender. Return soup to a clean pot and reheat gently.
06Pour hot soup into pumpkin. Serve from pumpkin, garnishing each serving with one or two reserved toasts.