Back in 18th century, pumpkins were not considered high class in England and on the European continent. Considered a lazy farmer’s harvest like the potato, pumpkin had a heavily negative connotation. While pumpkins show up in paintings, they’re not frequently used in written recipes, as they were considered food for the poor. Some countries like France, Spain, and Italy have some references to pumpkin soup, but not a lot beyond that. While pumpkins were considered beneath the Old World, in the American colonies, pumpkins were adapted, cultivated, harvested, preserved, and eaten with a sense of pride. Pumpkins were so ubiquitous in a colonial diet that a pumpkin eater referred to as a Bostonian, and pumpkinshire was a slang term for the area of Boston. Being a part of the greater Boston area, Salem would’ve had the same aficionado-like love of this squash. This recipe for Salem Pumpkin Soup was certainly a simple, mainstay way that people utilized freshly harvested or cold-stored pumpkins.  

Salem Pumpkin Soup (also known as pottage of pompion) would’ve been a way to cut through the encroaching chilly days without using meat or going through your cellar’s worth of ingredients. 

Pumpkin (or any squash) is partnered with aromatic sweet-and-savory leeks alongside a host of herbs like rosemary, thyme, and a bay leaf. 
 

Combined with stock, the pottage is brought to a boil and reduced to a simmer until the pumpkin is softened and starting to break apart or fork tender.

Next, the heavy cream is added alongside a bit of salt and pepper. 

Garnished with a fresh herb on hand, and you’re ready to dig in!

The pumpkin balances both sides of sweet and savory, yielding a great and complex flavor with each and every bite. 

Leeks add a soft onion flavor to the soup, while herbal additions add a lot without using a lot of ingredients.

Its creamy notes are rich without being heavy, which is a great dish to have as the weather gets colder and colder. This Salem Pumpkin Soup is a recipe from the past that shouldn’t be forgotten.