Roasted Pumpkin Soup with Bacon and Thyme

• 3 pounds sugar pumpkin, seeded and halved
• 4 ounces thick-cut smoked bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• 1 small white onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• Kosher salt
• Roasted pumpkin seeds, for garnish (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees .
2. Oil the inside of the pumpkin halves and season each with salt.
3. Place the pumpkin halves cut side down on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 30 minutes, or until the pumpkin meat is fork-tender.
4. Remove from the oven.
5. When its cool enough to handle, use a spoon to scoop out the roasted pumpkin and set aside.
6. In a large pot, saute the bacon over moderate heat, until its crispy on all sides.
7. Move the bacon pieces to a paper towel and set aside.
8. To the bacon fat, add onion, garlic, thyme, sugar, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and cayenne pepper and cook for 3 minutes.
9. Add the roasted pumpkin and broth, stirring to incorporate, then season with salt, and bring the soup to a boil.
10. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
11. Stir in the cream and let cool for 10 minutes.
12. Transfer the soup to a blender (or use an immersion blender in the pot) and puree until smooth.
13. If needed, add additional water or broth to reach the desired consistency.
14. Return the mixture to the saucepan and warm.
15. Serve and garnish with roasted pumpkin seeds.

sugar pumpkin, bacon, white onion, clove garlic, thyme, brown sugar, white pepper, freshly ground cinnamon, freshly ground nutmeg, cayenne pepper, lowsodium, heavy whipping cream, kosher salt, pumpkin seeds

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/roasted-pumpkin-soup-with-bacon-and-thyme (may not work)