As the pumpkin has become the face of Halloween I thought I would show you three ways you can enjoy one!
1. Decoration
The first use of a pumpkin is obviously for decoration. Pumpkin carving was a big thing in my house, with me and my siblings competing to see who could create the scariest pumpkin, and still today I enjoy carving a pumpkin and releasing my inner-child!
2. Pumpkin Seeds
These are the perfect healthy snack. Obviously if you're carving a pumpkin you'll scoop out the innards. Take the seeds from the pumpkin with as little of the orange mush as possible, place on a baking tray and add whatever topping you like. I usually add a bit of salt and toast them in the oven for 10-20 minutes, just until they are brown. Maybe try a bit of cinnamon in place of salt?
3. Pumpkin Pie.
The tastiest pie ever!
You will need:
Pumpkin, shortcrust pastry, caster sugar (140g), salt (1/2 tsp), fresh nutmeg, grated (1/2 tsp), cinnamon (1 tsp), 2 eggs (beaten), melted butter (25g) and 175ml of milk!
- Scoop out the stringy, orange innards of the pumpkin and put them in the compost bin because you won't be using them.
- Grab a spoon and scoop the yellowy-white sides of the pumpkin and place in a large pan, fill the pan with water and bring the pumpkin to the boil, then leave to simmer until soft.
- Drain the pumpkin and pile into blender.
- Whilst the pumpkin is boiling, bake the raw pastry until it is golden brown and take out of oven.
- Blend until the pumpkin is of a pureé texture.
- In a different bowl, mix the sugar, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg together, then add he beaten eggs, melted butter and milk and mix them all together. Blend with pumpkin purée until it's all combined together.
- Pour purée into pastry tart and cook in oven until the pastry is brown and the purée has hardened somewhat. (Like Jelly)
- (Google temperatures and times if necessary)
Hope you have discovered new ways to enjoy the pumpkin!
Happy Halloween guys!
Beth x
