I have been making this soup for a very long time. I used to make it without the pressure cooker, which is easy to do. When I did that, I would roast or bake the squash first and then scoop it out into the soup. With the pressure cooker, I can just cut the squash up and add it to the soup. Either way, it’s very tasty. Pressure cooked, it takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, not including the time that it takes to make the stock (which I do anyway because it’s so tasty. Don’t forget that you can put some of your squash peelings into the stock when making this soup.).
Curried Winter Squash and Pear Soup
Curried Winter Squash and Pear Soup
Serves 4–6 (or just you 4–6 times)
Even though squash is sweet, it still tastes great paired with pear. I use delicata squash as they don’t need to be peeled if they are organic and they’re easy to cut but any, such as butternut, acorn or kabocha, will do. If you like, you can add a pinch of cayenne for contrast, in addition to the lemon juice in the recipe. Remember that the turmeric and other spices in curry powder have incredible antioxidant benefits that are
important to boost your immune system as the seasons change.
5 minutes high pressure; natural pressure release
2 teaspoons canola oil (optional)
1 small onion, diced
3 small delicata or other squash, cut into cubes, to equal at least 3 cups (more is fine) Click here to see more about squash
1 medium D’anjou or Comice pear, peeled and cut into chunks
2–3 teaspoons or more curry powder
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 teaspoon grated fresh turmeric (if available)
4 cups vegetable stock or water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Pinch or more of cayenne, if desired
½ teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
Heat the pressure cooker over medium heat and add the oil, if using. When the pot is warm, add the onion and sauté for 3 minutes until it just softens. Add the pear, curry powder, ginger and turmeric and sauté for 2 minutes. Add the squash, stock or waterand lock the lid on the pressure cooker. Bring to high pressure over high heat. Once at pressure, lower the heat to maintain high pressure for 5 minutes. Let the pressure come down naturally.
Carefully remove the lid, tilting it away from you. Using a hand blender, pureé the soup until it reaches the desired consistency. Taste and add the lemon juice, cayenne, salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley or cilantro.
From The New Fast Food: The Veggie Queen Pressure Cooks Whole Food Meals in Less than 30 Minutes
SO delicious and comforting! I too love using delicata so there’s no peeling. I used half the curry and added cumin and cardamon plus only 3 cups of veg broth for a thicker soup. The addition of the pear is brilliant – yum! Thanks so much!
How could I modify this recipe for the crockpot or stove?
Just cook everything until it is done. You will likely need to add more broth to get it to the “right” consistency. It will take about 30 plus minutes on the stove top. Since I don’t slow cook, I have no idea how long it will take.
I made this recipe this weekend using butternut squash and the best thing is the pear. I didn’t think it would make that much of a difference but it does – adds more depth. Thank you so much for a delicious soup to go with salad for my lunches.
I am so happy to hear that you like this. I have been making it for years – every year at Thanksgiving for at least 10 years. It’s now a family favorite.
Thank you for letting me know.
i recently got my first pressure cooker, and bought your cookbook at the advice of the blissful chef. i made this soup, it is very good, but wayyy too spicy for me. i even cut down the curry to just 1 teaspoon. luckily my coworker loves spicy food, so i shared it with her. it was less thick than the butternut-apple soup i make a lot from isa chandra’s appetite for reduction, but i’m guessing to remedy that i should just use more squash?
To make your soup better for you, use less curry or just add cumin, turmeric, cinnamon and cardamom instead of a spicy curry powder. OF course, you could add more squash, and that will help, too.