Black Bean Pumpkin Soup Recipe

June 02, 2012

Ingredients

3	(15-½-oz) cans black beans (about 4½ cups), rinsed & drained
1	cup drained canned tomatoes, chopped
1¼	cups onion, chopped finely
½	cup shallot, minced well
4	garlic cloves, minced
1	tablespoon plus 2 teaspoon ground cumin
1	teaspoon salt
½	teaspoon freshly ground pepper
½	stick (¼ cup) unsalted butter
4	cups beef broth
	16-oz can pumpkin puree (1½ cups)
½	cup dry sherry
½	pound cooked ham, cut into ⅛-inch dice
3	tablespoons sherry vinegar
	sour cream, to taste
	lightly toasted pumpkin seeds, to taste

Directions

1. In a food processor, coarsely puree beans and tomatoes.
In a 6-qt heavy kettle, cook onion, shallot, cumin, salt and pepper in butter over medium heat, stirring until onion is softened and beginning to brown.

2. Stir in bean puree.
Stir in broth, pumpkin, and sherry until combined and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 25 minutes.
Just before serving add ham and vinegar, stir until heated through.

3. Season soup with salt and pepper.
Garnish with dollop of sour cream and toasted pumkin seeds.