Clam and Pumpkin Soup
6 tbsp. Heart Healthy butter
1 shallot, chopped
1 lb. clams, cleaned and drained if using canned
3 cups Chablis or other dry white wine
3-4 lbs. pumpkin, diced
salt and pepper to to taste
3 tbsp. chopped parsley
Melt 2 tbsp. butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Add shallots and cook until soft. Add clams, wine and one cup of water, increase heat to medium high and cook, stirring often until the clams open, about 5 minutes. Strain the broth and reserve. Remove the clams from the shells, throwing out any that don’t open.
Melt 4 tbsp. butter in the same pot over medium heat. Add the pumpkin and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and lightly browned. Add the reserved broth and simmer until the pumpkin is very soft and the broth thickens a little.
Working in batches, puree the soup in the blender until smooth. Return to the pot and warm over medium low heat. Add the clams and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve warm, garnished with chopped parsley.