Best 2 Pumpkin Soup With Ham Hock Recipes

**Pumpkin Soup with Ham Hock: A Comforting Fall Dish Made Easy**

As the weather cools and the leaves change color, there's nothing quite like a warm and comforting bowl of soup to warm your soul. This pumpkin soup with ham hock is the perfect fall dish, made with fresh pumpkin, savory ham hock, and a creamy broth. It's easy to make and packed with flavor, making it a perfect weeknight meal or a special occasion dish. This recipe also includes variations for making the soup in a slow cooker or Instant Pot, making it even easier to enjoy this delicious soup.

**Variations:**

* For a vegetarian version, omit the ham hock and add 1 cup of vegetable broth.
* For a creamy soup, puree 1 cup of the soup before adding the ham hock.
* For a spicy soup, add 1 teaspoon of chili powder or cayenne pepper.
* For a smoky soup, add 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
* Serve with a side of crusty bread or crackers for dipping.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

HAM HOCK AND LENTIL SOUP

Ham Hock and Lentil Soup image

Provided by Food Network

Categories main-dish

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups small diced onions
1 cup small diced celery
1 cup small diced carrots
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
2 bay leaves
6 sprigs of fresh thyme
2 quarts chicken stock
3 to 4 smoked ham hocks
1 pound orange lentils
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Steps:

In a large saucepan, over medium heat, add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions, celery, and carrots. Season with salt and pepper. Saute for 4 minutes. Add the garlic, bay leaves and thyme. Saute for 1 minute. Add the ham hocks and stock. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook about 1 hour, or until the hocks are tender. Add the lentils and continue cook for 25 to 30 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley. Reseason with salt and pepper if needed. Remove the ham hocks and remove the meat. Add the ham back into the soup. Ladle the soup into individual serving bowls and serve with crusty bread.

SPLIT PEA SOUP

Split Pea Soup image

This customizable recipe for classic split pea soup allows you to make it vegetarian or not with equally delicious results. Meat eaters can get that classic smoky flavor by adding bacon or ham hock, while vegetarians can reach for the smoked paprika. Half the split peas are added part way through cooking, which adds texture to each cozy, hearty spoonful.

Provided by Ali Slagle

Categories lunch, weekday, beans, soups and stews, vegetables, appetizer, main course, side dish

Time 2h20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

6 slices bacon or 1 (1-pound) smoked ham hock, or 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
1 medium onion, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 medium leeks, white and pale green parts rinsed and thinly sliced (about 1 3/4 cups)
4 garlic cloves, minced
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 medium carrots, scrubbed and diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 pound dried split green peas
2 fresh thyme sprigs
8 to 12 cups chicken stock or water
Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Steps:

If using bacon: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp, 12 to 13 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with a paper towel. Once cool, crumble and set aside for garnish. If using ham hock: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil, then brown the ham hock until golden, about 6 minutes. If making the soup vegetarian: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, heat the olive oil.
Add the onion, leeks and garlic and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 to 8 minutes. (If the vegetables seem dry, add a little olive oil.) Stir in the carrots, paprika (if using), half the split peas, thyme and 8 cups stock or water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partly covered, stirring occasionally, for about 45 minutes until peas are tender.
Mash the soup coarsely with a potato masher or give it a few quick blitzes with an immersion blender (watch out for the thyme sprigs). If you'd prefer a smoother soup, blitz until nearly smooth. Add the remaining 1/2 pound split peas and simmer about 1 hour, or until the peas are soft. If at any point the soup looks too thick, add more stock or water; if it looks too thin, remove the lid during the second simmer until it thickens. If using ham hocks, remove any meat from the bone, cut it into small cubes and stir into the soup. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with crumbled bacon, if using, and lemon wedges.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 611, UnsaturatedFat 21 grams, Carbohydrate 53 grams, Fat 32 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 29 grams, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Sodium 2129 milligrams, Sugar 21 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

Choose the right pumpkin: For the best flavor, select a sugar pumpkin or a pie pumpkin. These pumpkins are sweeter and have a denser flesh than other varieties.
Roast the pumpkin before using it: Roasting the pumpkin intensifies its flavor and makes it easier to puree.
Use a good quality ham hock: The ham hock is what gives this soup its rich flavor. Look for a ham hock that is meaty and has a good amount of fat.
Don't overcook the soup: The soup is best when it is cooked until the vegetables are tender but still have a little bit of bite to them.
Serve the soup with your favorite toppings: Some popular toppings for pumpkin soup include sour cream, croutons, and chopped bacon.

Conclusion:

Pumpkin soup with ham hock is a delicious and hearty soup that is perfect for a cold fall or winter day. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like your soup thick or thin, spicy or mild, there is a pumpkin soup with ham hock recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a comforting and flavorful soup, give pumpkin soup with ham hock a try.