Creamy Pumpkin Soup {With Smoked Paprika}

Ingredients

• 4-5 pounds of cooking pumpkins (see Recipe Note), or 3 (15-ounce) cans of pumpkin purée
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 medium yellow onions, chopped, about 2 cups
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 to 3 teaspoons smoked paprika, more or less to taste
• 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, and gluten-free broth for gluten-free version)
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon ground sage
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup cream
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• Handful of toasted pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds) for garnish