Kabocha Pumpkin Soup with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds - SippitySup

Ingredients

• 1 kabocha pumpkin (or other orange flesh winter squash) about 4 ½ pounds
• 4 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt (plus more for seasoning, as needed)
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 2 cinnamon sticks (broken into large pieces)
• 2 star anise pods
• ¼ teaspoon anise seeds
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 (2‑inch piece) fresh ginger (roughly chopped)
• 2 medium yellow onions (peeled, halved and thinly sliced)
• 8 cups vegetable stock
• ¼ teaspoon white pepper (plus more for seasoning , as needed)