Pumpkin & Black Bean Soup-1st Prize Winner 2010 Squashtoberfest

Pumpkin Black Bean Soup

courtesy of: Fern Nesius

Serves 6-8

2T Olive Oil

3 cups pumpkin, peeled & cubed

4 cloves garlic

1 Large onion, diced

1-2 Hot Peppers to taste, seeded & finely minced

1 1/2 t cumin

1t cinnamon

1/2 t ground cloves

2t chili powder

salt to taste

1 28 oz can plum tomatoes chopped with liquid

1/2 cup dry red wine or chicken stock

31/2 cups chicken stock, easily substituted with veg stock

4 cups coooked black beans, rinsed & drained

1 cup corn

Garnish sour cream & cilantro

Directions

Heat 1 T Olive Oil in a large skillet, over medium heat. Saute pumpkin for 10 minutes until browned. Set aside. In a large stockpot heat remaining olive oil, add garlic & onion & hot peppers, saute until tender. Add spices, stir to combine. Add tomatoes & liquid, along with wine & broth. Add reserved pumpkin. Bring to a boil, reduce heat & simmer for 20 minutes. Add black beans & corn, simmer for 20 minutes more. Garnish with sour cream & cilantro & serve.

Squashtoberfest Fun!

Squashtoberfest was a hit this year! As the kids painted pumpkins, customers and vendors alike lined up to turn in their entries. Tantalizing soup samples lined the table with perfect pumpkins, ugly pumpkins & tiny pumpkins.

The soup contest had 14 entries, and our judges narrowed the field to the cream of the crop. Our winners were: 1st place Fern Nesius with her Pumpkin Black Bean Soup, 2nd place: Paige Campbell Johns with her Butternut Sausage Soup, and 3rd Place: Kelli Mehl with her Mushroom and Barley Soup. Many thanks to our Judges: Mayor Ed Morgan, Chef Jassen Cambell, & Leslie Brewer! (It was hard work, but someone had to do it!) Keep your eye on this blog for recipes from the winners!

Although we didn't get any giant pumpkin entries this year, we had several other entries for the other pumpkin categories. Perfect Pumpkin was awarded to this heirloom pumpkin grown by Mark Scott. The ugliest pumpkin was grown by Sherman Lamie and Ronna Blevins. Our smallest pumpkin was grown by George Kiser, and we awarded David King a prize for his small pumpkin that was decorated by a doodle bug!

We can't wait for our 3rd annual Squashtoberfest next year! Start planning your recipes, and gardens, for next October! We hope to see a giant pumpkin to win the $1000 grand prize!