• 1 1/2 pounds pumpkin (3 cups)
• 1 Vidalia onion , chopped
• 1 cup carrots , peeled and diced
• 1 cup celery , diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic , chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon peppercorn
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 sprig thyme
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 2 sticks cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons espelette powder or paprika
• 1 cup low-fat yogurt
• Pumpkin oil

• 1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• Powdered sugar
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of espelette powder

To make the soup: Preheat oven to 350°. Cut the pumpkin in half and place it, cut side down, on an oiled baking sheet. Bake until it is easily pierced with a knife (about 45 minutes). Let cool. Scoop the flesh and discard the skin and seeds. Press the pumpkin flesh through a strainer. Warm the olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Sweat the carrots, onion, garlic until translucent for about 5 to 10 minutes. Add the dry spices and the aromatics. Add the pumpkin puree and chicken stock. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add entire mixture into a blender and blend. (You could also strain through a fine mesh.) Season. Put back in a pot to gently simmer. Finish with yogurt and adjust the seasonings. Serve in a warmed bowl. Garnish with candied pepitas (see recipe below) and a swirl of pumpkin oil.

To make the candied pepitas: Toast pepitas in a preheated nonstick pan. Add enough powdered sugar to coat the pepitas. Add salt and espelette powder. Stir until sugar dissolves—pumpkin seeds will pop. Remove from heat and let cool.