Try this Delicious Halloween Pumpkin Soup with Smoked Bacon

Pumpkins are not just for decorating and carving faces into them. They also make the best Halloween Pumpkin Soup!

Pumpkins come into season in late September and October, and are perfect for making soup just as the weather changes to more Autumnal temperatures. It is as if nature designed them perfectly.

This is one of our favourite recipes so I urge you to give it a try this Halloween.

• 25g butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 110g raw smoked bacon, diced
• 900g pumpkin flesh, peeled and cubed
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 1.2 litres chicken stock
• 75mls cream
• 1 tbsp whipped cream
• 50g cooked smoked bacon, chopped, for garnish
• Seasoning

Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the onion, raw smoked bacon and pumpkin flesh. Sweat for about 6 – 8 minutes to release the flavours. Add tomato puree and stir for 2 minutes. Then pour in the stock and stir in the cream. Cook on a low heat for 20 – 25 minutes. Liquidise with a hand-blender and season to taste.

To serve, pour the soup into bowls, place a dollop of whipped cream in each and sprinkle with chopped bacon pieces. Serve with warm bread for a delicious Halloween treat.