Pumpkin Red Date Sweet Soup

Why people make this soup

Pumpkin is one of those vegetables that crosses seasons beautifully — flavourful in summer and autumn, available in many varieties, and happy in both sweet and savoury dishes. In Chinese food therapy it is valued for nourishing the middle, supporting the qi, and gently bolstering lung function. Paired with red dates, the result is a naturally sweet, fragrant soup that the whole family can enjoy. It is a particularly good option during periods of chronic cough or general respiratory weakness, though it is not a replacement for medical treatment in serious cases.

Pumpkin is a versatile plant — the seeds are traditionally used too. The seeds have a reputation for supporting men’s prostate health when eaten regularly (roasted), and fresh raw pumpkin seeds can be chewed to help address intestinal worms in children (a traditional folk remedy).

Method

1. Rinse the pumpkin well (leave the skin on). Cut into chunky pieces.
2. Pit the red dates.
3. Combine pumpkin and red dates in a pot with 1.8 L of water.
4. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 45 minutes.
5. Stir in raw cane sugar slab to taste and cook until dissolved.
6. Serve warm. Eat the pumpkin and dates along with the broth.

Nourilo’s Tips

• This sweet soup has a lovely fragrance and is good for protecting eyesight, preventing eye diseases, and supporting children’s development.
• Those with spleen-dampness (bloating after meals, heavy limbs, loose stools) should avoid this dish.
• When choosing pumpkin at the market, pick one that feels heavy for its size — heavier means better flesh.
• Round varieties tend to be sweeter; long-shaped varieties have slightly less sugar. People with diabetes are better off with the long variety.
• The seeds can be used: fresh raw seeds (washed and mashed) can be given to children to help with intestinal worms; roasted seeds are traditionally used for prostate support in men, though roasting removes the worm-expelling property.