Thai Kabocha Squash Soup

Thai Kabocha Squash Soup
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Traditional Thai flavours are abundant in this luscious golden soup. Sweet coconut milk is balanced by zesty lime, cilantro and ginger for a truly tropical flavour. Feel free to substitute any dense orange vegetable such as pumpkin or butternut squash if you can’t find Kabocha squash.
Author:
Serves: 10
Ingredients
  • 2 cups (500 ml) chicken, cooked, shredded
  • 5 tbsp (75 ml) olive oil
  • 2 cups (500 ml) red onions, diced
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) ginger, grated
  • 4 cups (1 litre) Kabocha squash, cubed
  • 1 cup (250 ml) light coconut milk
  • 6 cups (1.5 litre) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) tamari, light, gluten free
  • 2 tsp (10 ml) fish sauce
  • ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
  • 1 cup (250 ml) cilantro
  • 3 tbsp (45 ml) shallots, minced
  • 3 tbsp (45 ml) lime juice
  • 2 tsp (10 ml) lime zest
  • 1 cup (250 ml) green onions, julienned
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
  1. Heat oil in soup pot over medium-high heat. Sauté onion and ginger until softened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Cut squash in half and remove seeds. Bake cavity side down in a baking dish in a 350°F (175°C) oven until soft and a knife pierces easily through flesh. You can also microwave squash for 10 minutes until fork tender. Set aside to cool. Remove flesh and measure 4-5 cups (1 to 1.25 litre). Add to soup pot.
  3. Stir in coconut milk, chicken broth, Tamari, fish sauce and salt. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Puree with a hand blender.
  4. Add chicken to soup and heat through.
  5. Add cilantro, olive oil, minced shallot, lime juice and peel from half the lime into food processor or blender. Puree and set aside.
  6. To serve, garnish soup with green onions, a generous sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper and the cilantro pesto.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 330 g Calories: 190 Fat: 10 g Saturated fat: 3 g Carbohydrates: 13 g Sugar: 3 g Sodium: 350 mg Fiber: 2 g Protein: 13 g Cholesterol: 25 mg