Voting from abroad is supposed to be fairly simple. Well that is, if you are from California, New York or even Florida. If you are a Democrat from Ohio like me, you may find yourself a month after the elections are over, still checking the mail, wondering if your absentee ballot will ever arrive.

I had just about given up on receiving mine around the beginning of October, so I did what most experienced, responsible absentee voters from Ohio do.  I found another way to vote and did it twice.

This ginger pumpkin soup may not be a remedy for the disenfranchised, but it was just warm and creamy enough to make me feel better.

Lost Ballot Pumpkin Soup

400 grams fresh pumpkin (cubed)

3 small potatoes (cubed)

1 big green onion (chopped)

2 cloves of garlic (chopped)

1 tsp of freshly grated ginger

2 spoonfuls of crème fraiche

1 cup milk

2 cups water

Olive oil

Salt

Pepper

Fresh cilantro (chopped)

Heat olive oil in large saucepan. Sauté onion, garlic and ginger on low to medium heat. Add cubed vegetables. Pour in 1 cup of milk and 2 cups of water (or enough liquid to just cover the vegetables).

Cook on medium heat without boiling until vegetables are tender. About 30 minutes.

Mix in blender: spoon in mixture adding a little bit of the liquid until desired consistency reached. Salt and pepper to taste. Stir in a few spoonfuls of cilantro.

Pour into bowls. Garnish with cilantro and a dollop of crème fraiche