Pumpkin seeds can do more than sit on top of a salad. Toasted, ground, simmered, or blended, they can turn a simple soup into something nutty, creamy, savory, and deeply satisfying.

Chayote squash is one of those quiet vegetables that does more in a soup pot than it gets credit for. It has a crisp texture when raw, a tender bite when cooked, and a mild flavor that takes well to garlic, herbs, citrus, chiles, broth, and creamy finishes.