Kabocha Squash & Asian Pear Soup with Hazelnut Dukkah

Ingredients

For the soup

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
  
• 2 large Asian pears, peeled, cored and chopped
  
• 2 pounds kabocha squash, seeded and diced into 1/2" pieces
  
• 6-8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
  

For the Hazelnut Dukkah

• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  
• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
  
• 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
  
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  
• 2 tablespoons roasted sesame seeds
  
• 1/3 cup roasted hazelnuts, coarsely chopped
  

Directions

1. Melt butter in large, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 1 minute. Add squash and continue to cook until onion is tender, about 8 minutes. Add the pear, and 6 cups of the broth. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat. Cover and simmer until squash is tender, about 35 minutes.
2. Puree the soup in batches in a high speed blender. Return the soup to the pot and season to taste. Bring to simmer and thin with more broth if too thick. Serve with the Hazelnut Dukkah.
3. For the dukkah, roast the peppercorns In a small, dry frying pan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Remove to a plate. Add the coriander, cumin and fennel seed to the pan and roast, stirring frequently until the coriander turns a shade darker. Remove to a separate plate.
4. Grind the peppercorns finely and add to the hazelnuts. Grind the remaining ingredients coarsely with the salt and add to the hazelnuts and pepper. Mix well. Store sealed in a cool dark place.