Pumpkin soup is a popular dish in Jamaica, often prepared rustically, with chunks of pumpkin, chayote and okra, spicy with scotch bonnet peppers, and perhaps even a chicken foot or two! But the pumpkin soup we fell in love with was smooth, creamy and scented with thyme. It was such a favorite of my husband’s that I experimented at home so we could have it at any time.
The last few Thanksgivings have been a bit different for us, as they have been for many others. Since we aren’t accommodating the schedules of children or out of state guests, the meal has evolved into a day long eat-a-thon! We always start with “snacks”, as the charcuterie board has come to be known, accompanied by kir royale cocktails. Without anyone in a rush to get somewhere else, we have added a pumpkin course before the main event. This is usually either pumpkin ricotta gnocchi or pumpkin soup.