(Serves 4 to 6)

Pumpkins are one of the oldest harvest crops in the Americas. Serve this Northeastern Woodland Indian pumpkin soup recipe the traditional way, in a bowl made out of a pumpkin that has had the top cut off and the seeds cleaned out.

1 small (12-inch) pumpkin OR 1 29-ounce can organic pumpkin

1 to 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 to 3 tablespoons honey

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground dried spicebush berry or allspice

3 to 4 cups broth

salt and pepper to taste

Note: If using a fresh pumpkin, preheat the oven to 350F, place the pumpkin in a baking pan and bake for one hour, or until the skin of the pumpkin is easily pierced with a knife. Remove the pumpkin from the oven and cool. Cut the pumpkin in half and scrape off the seeds (save the seeds to make slow-roasted pumpkin seeds). Next, scrape the pumpkin flesh from the shell. Mash or puree the pumpkin flesh in a blender.

Combine all ingredients except the broth, in a large saucepan, and heat slowly. Gradually stir in the broth to reach the desired consistency. Simmer until hot. Garnish with nuts, seeds, and scallions.

—Cox, Beverly and Martin Jacobs. Spirit of the Harvest, North American Indian Cooking

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