Pumpkin Soup With Smoked Paprika

Ingredients

• 1 4-5 pound cooking pumpkin* to yield 6 cups roasted pumpkin or 3 (15 ounce) cans of pumpkin puree
• 4 tbsp butter
• 2 medium yellow onions, chopped, about 2 cups
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 large tart green apple (granny smith) peeled, cored, chopped (about 2 cups)
• 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup cream
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 sprig fresh sage or 1/4 teaspoon ground sage
• salt and freshly ground pepper to taste