Whenever winter comes, this is the dish I crave the most. A bowl full of warmth and nostalgia. I’ve tried numerous recipes online, and I still like my grandpa’s recipe the most. It reminds me of cold winter evening sitting around the table with my family and savoring the delicious soup together. The pumpkin is tender and slightly sweet, the pork rich and fragrant, and together they create a harmony of flavors that wraps you like a warm hug. Each spoonful carries the taste of home, of family, and of quiet winter evenings that linger in memory long after the meal is over.
Ingredients (serve 2-3)
- 800 g pumpkin
- 500 g pork bones
- Cilantro, scallions, garlic
- Seasonings: pepper, seasoning powder, fish sauce, sugar, salt
How to Cook Pumpkin Soup with Pork Bones
Step 1: Clean the meat
Place the pork bones in a bowl and rinse them with salted water for 3 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly with cold water and drain.
Step 2: Marinate the pork bones
In a bowl, combine the seasonings in the following order: 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon seasoning powder, ½ teaspoon fish sauce, and a pinch of ground pepper. Mix well, then marinate the pork bones for 20 minutes.
Step 3: Prepare the vegetables and aromatics
While waiting for the meat to absorb the flavors, finely chop the garlic and scallions. Peel the pumpkin (it’s best to wear gloves to avoid sticky hands), wash it thoroughly, and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
Step 4: Cook the pumpkin soup with pork bones
First, lightly sauté the pork bones to make the soup more fragrant. Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pot, then add the garlic and part of the scallions and sauté until fragrant. Add the pork bones and stir until the meat firms up slightly. Pour in 1 liter of water, cover the pot, and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface to make the broth clearer. After 30 minutes, add the pumpkin and cook for another 10 minutes. Make sure the pumpkin is tender but not mushy. Adjust the seasoning to taste, then turn off the heat.
Serve in a bowl and enjoy!