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Pumpkin and Apple Soup with Chestnuts

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Pumpkin and Apple Soup with Chestnuts
Fresh chestnuts can be hard to find; dry packed roasted chestnuts (which only require chopping) make a good substitute.

Serves: 10

Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 Golden Delicious apples (about 1 pound), peeled, cored and cut into eighths
  • 2 cans (15 oz. each) pure pumpkin
  • 4 cups (one 32 oz. carton) chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp. ground corriander
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • ⅛ to ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 5 tbsp. drained 2 % Greek yogurt , for garnish
  • 10 fresh chestnuts, roasted, peeled, and coarsely
  • 2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives, for garnish
  • Pumpkin shells (optional): 10 mini sugar pumpkins
  • Olive oil for brushing

Instructions
  1. To make soup: In small stock pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion and apples; cook, stirring occasionally until softened, about 10 minutes.
  2. Stir in pumpkin, broth, 1½ cups water, bay leaf, coriander, salt and red pepper flakes.
  3. Bring to a simmer; reduce heat to medium-low. Cook covered, stirring occasionally, until apples are soft, about 30 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat; discard bay leaf. Using an immersion blender, puree soup in pot until smooth. Stir in cream and return to stove. Cook over medium heat until heated through, about 4 minutes.
  5. To make pumpkin shells: While soup is cooking, preheat oven to 375°. Cut top third off pumpkins, making sure to keep matching tops and shells together. (If necessary, trim a thin layer off bottoms of pumpkins so they sit level.)
  6. Using a large spoon, scoop out seeds and strings; discard. Place pumpkin shells and tops on foil-lined baking sheet; brush all cut edges with oil. Bake until warmed, 6 to 8 minutes.
  7. Ladle soup into pumpkin shells, if using (if not, serve in warm bowls). Garnish each serving with ½ tablespoon dollop of yogurt and a sprinkling of chestnuts and chives.