Ingredients:

2 1/2 pounds pumpkin or butternut squash
1 tablespoon sugar
2 ounces sliced prosciutto or lean pancetta, shredded
1/4 cup minced shallot
Salt
Freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup crème fraîche or heavy cream
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 1/2 ounces Roquefort cheese, crumbled
1 cup diced, crustless dense country bread, toasted in a dry skillet until golden

This recipe contains: Dairy, Meat, Pork, Wheat

Recipe notes: This soup can be made up to two days in advance and reheated. When reheating the soup, if you notice it thickening, thin it with up to 1/2 cup of hot water and readjust the seasoning. If using an electric or ceramic stovetop, be sure to use a heat diffuser with the clay pot.

RECIPE

Pumpkin Soup with Creamy Roquefort

Paula Wolfert

Adapted from Mediterranean Clay Pot Cooking (Wiley, 2009)

"Roquefort, rather heady in its natural state, but mild and mellow when cooked, gives this easy-to-make soup a characteristic Southwest French flavor," says Paula Wolfert. She recommends using a 3-quart glazed or unglazed earthernware or flameware casserole for this recipe.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Method:

Pare the pumpkin, cut it into large chunks, and discard the seeds and fibrous centers. Cut enough of the flesh into 1-inch dice to make 5 cups or 1 1/2 pounds cleaned pumpkin or squash. Place the pumpkin cubes and sugar in the eaternware casserole and warm over low heat. Gradually raise the heat to medium-low, cover with a sheet of parchment paper and the lid, and steam for 10 minutes.

Add the prosciutto and shallot and cook, covered, for 10 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Add 3 cups hot water to the casserole, bring to a boil, and cook at a simmer until everything is tender, about 20 minutes. Transfer the soup in batches to a blender and puree until smooth.

Add the cream, the butter, and the cheese to the last batch of soup in the blender and puree until velvety.

Reheat the soup and season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Ladle the soup into warm bowls and top each portion with the toasted croutons.