Updated on December 12, 2023 by Roselle Miranda.
What Is Creamy Kalabasa Soup?
One thing we can still say about the food price seesaw that we witnessed over the past few years is that the kalabasa continues to be one of the cheapest vegetables on the market. To maximize the use of this hearty vegetable in your kitchen, you have to get creative when using it in recipes. This creamy kalabasa soup is a great idea for special occasions without breaking your food budget.
This is just one of 10 featured cover recipes from Yummy’s December Digital Issue, and we think any of these dishes will make a delicious addition to your Noche Buena table this year.
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How to Serve Creamy Kalabasa Soup
Serve this thick and rich soup as is or you can jazz it up with a few topping ideas. Here are our serving suggestions:
Drizzle in cream and pesto: The beauty of this simple soup is that its a gorgeous golden color that can be made more appetizing. A swirl of cream makes this more creamy while the pesto is a great burst of freshness in the sea of richness and creaminess.
Add croutons or crackers: Homemade crackers are delicious because you can season them as you like and can be served while fresh and still super crunchy. No stale bread to make into croutons? Serve with crackers instead.
Add chicken: If you think that it needs some meaty chunks, chicken would be an excellent pairing. Simply fried in oil or charred on the grill would work, too. If you have leftover lechon manok from the night before, you can serve chunks with this soup.
Make a sandwich: Just like tomato soup makes a delicious pairing with a grilled cheese sandwich, there is no reason why this soup can’t partner with a sandwich, too. A cheese sandwich would be classic but so would a ham and cheese.
How To Cook Creamy Kalabasa Soup
This is a simple soup that can help develop the confidence of a young cook in the kitchen. This starts with sautéing an onion in oil. Once softened and aromatic, the kalabasa are added. This needs to cook until tender however.
Instead of neutral-tasting water, a good chicken stock boosts and complements the kalabasa flavor. The kalabasa simmers and tenderizes in this flavorful liquid so it keeps all its flavor in the soup.
A handheld blender or immersion blender is a great tool to use to puree the kalabasa into a smooth soup. (You can also transfer and process the kalabasa into a blender.)
The pureed kalabasa soup is thickened with all-purpose cream and it’s done! A little seasoning and it’s ready to serve with some bacon bits and croutons on top.
Tips To Make The Best Creamy Kalabasa Soup
1 Use the bacon fat.
We love the flavor of bacon, and it’s a shame to waste the flavors left behind in the pan when bacon is cooked. So that we do not waste precious elixir, we suggest you sauté the onions in the bacon fat instead of plain oil.
2 Roast the kalabasa.
If you want to elevate the taste of kalabasa truly, we suggest you roast the kalabasa first. This extra step not only develops more flavors from the squash but also intensifies the delicious flavors you would never be able to achieve if it doesn’t brown.
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Creamy Kalabasa Soup Storage Tips
1 Refrigerate creamy kalabasa soup.
If you have leftovers, you can store this soup in the refrigerator in a sealed container. This will keep chilled for up to 3 days.
2 This creamy soup also freezes well.
Freezing is a great idea for this soup! This soup is a great make-ahead side dish that you can freeze for weeks and thaw on the day when you’re ready to serve. To do this with the best results, transfer to a plastic bag and squeeze out the all air.
Creamy Kalabasa Soup Recipe
Ingredients
Creamy Kalabasa Soup Ingredients
- 1 piece onion chopped
- 1 Table Spoon Oil
- 4 cups water
- 1 piece chicken bouillon cube
- 1 kilo kalabasa (squash) peeled and cut into cubes
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 Pack All-purpose cream
- 1/4 Cup bacon crumbled
- croutons
Instructions
- On medium high heat sauté onion in oil until translucent. Add water and chicken bouillon cube. Stir until cube is dissolved. Add kalabasa. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.
- Using a handheld blender, process the kalabasa until smooth. (You may also process it in a blender by batches.)
- Return puréed kalabasa to the pot. Season with salt and white pepper. Add all-purpose cream. Stir.
- Pour soup into individual bowls; top with bacon bits and croutons. Serve hot.
