Thai Kabocha Squash Soup
When it comes to soul-warming comfort food, few dishes can rival a bowl of heartwarming Thai kabocha squash soup. This delightful comfort food combines the rich flavors of kabocha squash with the savory goodness of baby pork ribs, resulting in a silky and satisfying soup perfect for chilly nights and early fall dinners.
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 30 min
- Yield
- 8 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
- 1 lb kabocha squash, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
- 5 large cloves of garlic
- 1 tsp ground white pepper or 2 teaspoon whole white peppercorns
- 1/4 cup cilantro stems cut into 1-inch pieces. Or four cilantro roots
- 1 cube Thai pork boullion
- 1 tsp salt
- 8 cup water
- 1.5 pound baby back ribs cut into 3-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup green onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tsp fish sauce, more to taste
- 1 tsp soy sauce, more to tast
- Garnishes: Cilantro leaves, sliced green onions, and ground white pepper
Instructions
- 1
Cut the kabocha squash into large chunks but bite-size, 1-2 inch pieces, leaving the skin on. Set aside until ready.
- 2
Pound garlic, cilantro roots, and white pepper in a stone mortar and pestle until you have a rough paste. A spice grinder works if you don't have a mortar and pestle.
- 3
Add the paste, salt, bouillion water, and baby pork ribs in a large pot or Dutch oven. On medium-high heat, bring the stock water to a rolling boil. Turn the heat down slightly between medium to medium-high heat.
- 4
Cover and let the soup simmer for a rich flavor infusion. Cook until the pork ribs are tender, around 30-40 minutes. Remove scum as necessary for a more clear broth.
- 5
Add the kabocha squash and green onion to the brothy soup. Cook until its fork is tender but not too mushy. Around 6-9 minutes. Use a fork to test the texture of the kabocha.
- 6
Taste the soup and add fish sauce and soy sauce as needed. The broth should be very tasty, even without the sauces. If you love the flavors, stop here, and you're done. If you want/need more flavors, add fish sauce and soy sauce.