Pumpkin is in season and, needless to say, super popular during the Halloween period! If you carved a few pumpkins for Halloween night and saved the meat and seeds, it's now time to get stuck into some tasty dishes for all the family to enjoy.
Pumpkin pie
The traditional pumpkin pie finds its way into our kitchen not only during the Halloween season but also throughout the autumn. Typically prepared with pumpkin flesh, carefully chopped up and sautéed with your choice of spices and herbs, added to cooked and seasoned rice, featuring raisins and other specialities true to different families and restaurants. All this is finally encased in a pie crust; soft yet toasty at the base while crisp and fluffy on the top!
Pumpkin soup
A warming treat that can be made in a variety of ways. Pumpkin soup is a versatile dish and can be served as a starter or even enjoyed as a main component to your meal. Roast your pumpkin before adding to your soup pot; and always add your aromatics to the roasting dish to fully infuse the flavours into the vegetable. Some great combos are rosemary and garlic or coconut milk and a green Thai curry.
Spiced pumpkin crackers
Pumpkin crackers are a thing. Puree your roasted pumpkin and add flour, season well with salt, cumin and other spices that tickle your fancy. Cut into cracker shapes before baking and sprinkle a few pumpkin seeds on top.
Pumpkin bread
A typical bread mix with added nutrients, colour and creativity. Bake this guy a little longer than you would normal bread as the moisture in the pumpkin will leave the bottom a little soggy. And while you're at it, why not try pumpkin pancakes as an alternative pumpkin recipe?
Roasted pumpkin seeds
Save and dry your pumpkin seeds from your recent carving session for a toasty treat to nibble on when cravings strike. Add tamari, salt and pepper or lime juice to these crunch bits for added zing and super flavour.
There are so many ways to use pumpkin in your kitchen! Using pumpkin as a binder is a great way to reduce eggs and flour in your cooking - the starchy components of the autumn veg give your food a velvety texture and luscious feel. Pumpkins are low in cholesterol and sodium and packed with Vitamin A, C, B6 and other fancy minerals. Enjoy!