A hearty, traditional Jamaican soup made completely vegan — filled with flavour, root vegetables, and creamy coconut milk. Perfect for a cosy weekend meal.

Ingredients

For the soup:

  • 400g dry kidney beans (soaked overnight)

  • 2 litres water

  • 5–6 pimento seeds

  • 1 medium onion, diced

  • 4 garlic cloves, chopped

  • 2 spring onions, diced

  • 200g pumpkin or squash, peeled and cubed

  • 150g sweet potato, peeled and cubed

  • 150g yam, peeled and cubed

  • 1 large carrot, peeled and sliced

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 1 tsp black pepper

  • 1 tbsp all-purpose seasoning

  • 400ml coconut milk

  • 6–8 sprigs fresh thyme

  • 1 whole scotch bonnet pepper

  • 1 packet pumpkin soup mix

For the dumplings:

  • 150g plain flour

  • 1 cup cold water

Method

  1. Prepare the peas:
    Wash and soak the kidney beans overnight in plenty of water. The next day, add them to a large pot with 2 litres of fresh water, the pimento seeds, a few sprigs of thyme, spring onions, and garlic. Bring to the boil, then simmer for about 40 minutes, or until the peas are tender.

  2. Add the pumpkin:
    Stir in the pumpkin and cook for 5 minutes, allowing it to soften and start to thicken the broth.

  3. Add the vegetables:
    Add the onion, remaining garlic, spring onions, carrot, sweet potato, and yam. Stir well to combine.

  4. Season and simmer:
    Add the salt, black pepper, and all-purpose seasoning. Pour in the coconut milk and add the scotch bonnet pepper and remaining thyme. Simmer gently for 10–15 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the soup begins to thicken.

  5. Add the soup mix:
    Stir in the pumpkin soup mix and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the soup is rich and creamy.

  6. Make the dumplings:
    In a small bowl, mix the flour with the cold water to form a soft dough. Knead lightly, then pinch off small pieces and roll into spinners or small round dumplings.

  7. Finish the soup:
    Drop the dumplings into the pot, stir gently, and cook for a further 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

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