Milanese Pumpkin Soup

Milanese pumpkin soup is a comforting and tasty dish, perfect for cold evenings. Here is the recipe to prepare this Lombard classic:

Ingredients

• 600 g of cleaned pumpkin
• 1 onion
• 1 stalk of celery
• 1 carrot
• 1 liter of vegetable broth
• 60 g of butter
• 80 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 200 g of Carnaroli rice
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley (for garnishing)

Preparation

1. Start by preparing a sauté with finely chopped onion, celery, and carrot. Sauté the vegetables in a pot with half of the butter until they are soft and slightly golden.
2. Add the diced pumpkin and let it flavor for a few minutes.
3. Pour the vegetable broth into the pot and bring to a boil. Then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the pumpkin is tender.
4. At this point, you can choose to leave the pumpkin pieces whole or blend everything with an immersion blender for a creamier consistency.
5. Increase the heat, bring to a boil again, and add the rice. Cook for the time indicated on the rice package, stirring occasionally.
6. When the rice is ready, turn off the heat, add the remaining butter and grated Parmesan, stirring well to cream the soup.
7. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper according to your liking.
8. Serve the Milanese pumpkin soup hot, garnished with some chopped fresh parsley.

Curiosity

Pumpkin is a typical autumn ingredient and is used in different culinary preparations in Lombardy, from soups to risottos. Its natural sweetness pairs well with more robust flavors like Parmesan and butter, creating a pleasant contrast to the palate. Milanese pumpkin soup is a dish that encapsulates the flavors of tradition in a simple yet tasteful recipe.