Ingredients

Preparation

For the pumpkin flesh: The procedure is the same as for making pumpkin purée. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Cut the pumpkins in half, vertically. Remove the seeds and the strings (if any) in the center. Peel and cut into cubes. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt. Place the cubes of pumpkin on a greased baking sheet with 1 sprig of sage in the center. Drizzle with molasses and olive oil. Roast for about 1 hour until soft. Let the pumpkin cool completely. Discard the sage.

For decoration: In a small saucepan, heat ¾ cup heavy cream with the remaining chopped sage leaves. Stir well and bring to a boil. Immediately turn off the heat and let cool completely. Season with salt and pepper. Chill in the refrigerator. Once chilled, whip into an airy foam.

For the vegetable broth: In a small pot, heat the oil and add the onions, ½ tablespoon finely chopped sage leaves and the bouquet garni. Sauté them for 4-5 minutes until fragrant. Fill the pot with about 1 quart of water. Bring to a full boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 30 minutes. Discard the bouquet garni.

For the soup: Coarsely chop the pumpkin and blend into a smooth paste in a food processor. Add the sunflower seeds and nutmeg. Add the broth for a smoother flow. Season with salt. Return to the pot and cook for another 15-20 minutes.

For the grilled baguette: Lightly brush the bread with olive oil. Place the pieces on a hot grill. Cook over medium heat until you get grill marks (about 2-3 minutes on each side). Remove from the grill. Rub slices of baguette against a cut clove of garlic.

Assembly time: Thin the soup with the remaining cream until you reach the desired consistency. Stir well. Check the seasoning of the soup. Season with salt (if necessary) and pepper. Re-heat for 5-10 minutes; ladle the soup into small cups. Add a dollop of sage cream.

Serve warm with toasted bread.

Bon appétit!

Tips

You can add a little water, depending on how thick / thin you want the soup.

For optimum flavor, bruise the sage leaves before using them.

Little reminder on how to make a bouquet garni: The traditional bouquet garni is composed of a sprig of thyme, 2 bay leaves (torn in half), 1 small portion of leek (only the green part), a few curly parsley stems and a small stalk of celery. You can always tweak it by substituting other ingredients such as bruised lemongrass, basil, sage, coriander or even star anise. Gather all the ingredients in a square of cheesecloth and tie it with some twine. You can use it to flavor broths.