Fresh pumpkin is a fall treat that, in combination with peanuts, makes a tasty soup. Traditional peanut soup, while healthy, has a high fat content. Pumpkin, largely water and fiber, is a delicious way to reduce the the fat content of peanut soup. Serve it in a bread bowl or a cleaned out pumpkin for a festive touch. There's no need to tell your family and friends they are eating really healthy soup, it can be the cook's secret.
Peanut Facts and Nutrition
A native of South America, probably Brazil, peanuts are legumes, not true nuts. They share a lot of the same nutritional value of nuts. George Washington Carver discovered over 300 uses for peanuts. Some of his uses include mock goose, duck, chicken, veal and oysters, peanut lemon punch, treatment for venereal disease, face cream, dandruff cure, dyes for leather, cloth, wood stains and paints, insecticide, and linoleum.
One of the most popular uses for peanuts is eaten as peanut butter. About 80% of the fat in peanuts and peanut butter is unsaturated fat. Peanuts contain protein and essential vitamins and minerals. There is no cholesterol in peanuts. In addition to tasting good, peanuts are part of a healthy diet.
Pumpkin Facts and Nutrition
Pumpkins are a member of the squash family. The beta carotene in pumpkins is converted to vitamin A in the body. Beta carotene is credited with helping to prevent some cancers, heart disease, and some degenerative aspects of aging. Other goodies in pumpkins include vitamin e, niacin, manganese, potassium, iron, zinc, and calcium. Eating pumpkin seeds is said to help with prostate health.
Peanut and Pumpkin Soup Recipe
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 stalks of celery, chopped
- 2 Tbs butter
- 2 Tbs peanut oil
- 1 quart chicken stock
- 2 Cups smooth peanut butter
- 2 Cups fresh or canned pumpkin
- Chopped peanuts or toasted pumpkin seeds
Directions:
- In a stockpot, saute the onion and celery in the butter and peanut oil until very soft, without browning.
- Add the chicken stock and cook for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Use a stick blender, or other blender, to blend the ingredients until smooth.
- Add the peanut butter and pumpkin, blending again to smooth.
- If canned pumpkin is used, the soup may need to be thinned with some more chicken stock, or, to make it nice and creamy, some milk.
- Add salt to taste.
- Top each serving with peanuts or pumpkin seeds.
This peanut and pumpkin soup is so easy to make. It's creamy and delicious in addition to being very healthy eating. For healthy snacks, make pecans part of your diet.
Corinne Shibley - Corinne Shibley studied sculpture in art history and created her own sculpture on the way to a B.A. in Studio Art. "There's something ...
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