Sopi di Pampuna (Pumpkin Soup)

Sopi di pampuna is Curaçao's pumpkin soup, a smooth, golden, gently spiced bowl that is one of the island's most comforting everyday dishes. Sopi is the Papiamentu word for soup and pampuna for pumpkin, and the recipe is as honest as the name suggests: local pumpkin, which grows readily in the island's warm climate, is simmered with onion, garlic, and herbs until soft, then mashed or blended into a velvety, mildly sweet soup.

The flavour is mellow and homey. The natural sweetness of the pumpkin is balanced by savoury aromatics and a little seasoning, sometimes lifted with nutmeg or a touch of hot pepper. Some cooks keep it purely vegetable, while others add a piece of meat or a bit of stock for depth, so versions range from a light vegetarian starter to a more substantial bowl. Either way it is the kind of soup associated with home cooking and easy weeknight meals.

On the table

Sopi di pampuna is usually served as a starter or a light meal, often with bread or a pan bati on the side. It is also a gentle dish for anyone who wants to ease into Curaçaoan flavours without much heat.

• It is naturally suited to a vegetarian version, which makes it a useful option on a Krioyo menu.
• The local pumpkin (a firm Caribbean variety) gives it a richer, less watery body than many pumpkin soups.

Order sopi di pampuna as a warming, low-key introduction to the island's home cooking, ideally with bread for dipping.