Pumpkin Soup – Supporting Healthy Immunity
A warming soup to support the immune system and comfort on cold days.
This recipe is a big hit on our winter menu!
Turmeric and ginger are a great combination as ginger has a lovely warming quality, is a powerful anti-inflammatory and is excellent for digestion. The health benefits of turmeric are numerous and it is easily one of the most heavily researched spices. The active constituent of turmeric is curcumin which has also potent anti-inflammatory effects. For children, turmeric can be a wonderful addition to the diet as it is nutritionally rich, and has strong immune-modulatory effects which can be excellent during winter when they are more prone to colds and sniffles.
Our Golden Milk recipe is another way to include turmeric in your child’s diet.
Enjoy!
Ingredients
500g pumpkin, cut into wedges with skin on
2 tablespoon olive oil (1tbsp to coat pumpkin, 1 tbsp to sauté vegetables)
1 small onion, diced
1 2cm nob ginger, finely chopped
1 heaped teaspoon turmeric powder
1 apple, diced
1 chicken stock cube (or vegetable)
1 litre water
Salt and pepper to taste
Yoghurt to serve
Method
Preheat oven to 180oC
Line an oven tray with baking paper. Rub pumpkin wedges with olive oil and a little salt. Place pumpkin on baking paper and roast for 20-30mins or until it becomes a little golden with a few charred bits. Remove from oven.
In a medium saucepan, add olive oil and onion, sauté for 5min until the onion starts to soften. Add garlic and turmeric and continue to stir on medium heat for another 2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and bring to the boil. Simmer until the apple is soft. Blend with a stick blender or in a Thermomix or blender to the desired consistency. It lends itself to being a bit chunky and hearty but can also be blended smooth.
Serve with a dollop of yoghurt.
Dr Lauren Burns (PhD) is Niño ELA’s Nutritional Ambassador, an Olympic gold medallist and a leading nutritionist who shares our passion for building healthy eating habits for life.
Learn more about Niño ELA’s nutrition program »
Top 5 immune boosting foods that your kids should be eating in winter »
