Ralph McFarlane wins the Pumpkin competition

Ralph McFarlane in Room 13 was the proud winner of our pumpkin competition with an exact guess of 27 kilograms, for the combined weight of our two big pumpkins. Zara Munro, Jonathan Rapson, Ella McMillan and Ralph worked flat out last Thursday afternoon to get the pumpkin soup ready. Friday of last week was a suitably chilly day for soup, so with the help of some of our senior boys, we just about managed to feed the whole school with some delicious soup. Pretty good going to be able to do that with those two big pumpkins! Well done to Ralph and his team of chefs. I know you made lots of people happy on a cold, wet day.

Here's the recipe

Ralph’s Pumpkin Soup Recipe

Any type of pumpkin

2 Carrots

1 Leek

1 large or 2 small potatoes

Milk or cream

2 Vegetable stock cubes or Oxo

Cayenne pepper, ground coriander, curry powder - optional

Salt and Pepper

Butter

Chop up the pumpkin, or even better drop it on the ground and watch it break apart.

Wash the pumpkin pieces if you’ve dropped it on the ground.

Scoop out all the seeds and save them in a bowl.

Drizzle some olive oil over the pumpkin.

Roast the pumpkin on a baking tray (skin and all).

Wash the rest of the vegetables and then chop them up.

While the pumpkin is roasting fry the chopped veggies in a little bit of butter until soft.

When the pumpkin has gone soft and a little bit brown take it out of the oven and leave it to cool.

When it has cooled cut the skin off the pumpkin and chop the roasted pumpkin up into small pieces

Mix up the vegetable stock.

Add the fried veggies, roasted pumpkin, vegetable stock, salt and pepper (and spices if you’re using them) to a large pot

Put a lid on the pot and let it simmer.

While this happening wash the pumpkin seeds and put them in between paper towels to dry.

When all the veggies are soft add the milk or cream.

Use a stick blender or food processor to puree all the pieces so the soup is nice and smooth.

Taste and add more salt, pepper and spices if you like.

Enjoy steaming hot with lovely crusty bread.

Warming up the Pumpkin Soup

Getting ready for the serving

Lots of hungry students ready for their soup. 

Brad and Tim helping serve up the soup to the masses