No Need to Miss Out

Sometimes, the news just seems all about what we’re doing wrong.
Instead of cheerful reminiscing about about happy Halloweens of yore, the internet is filled with posts about the horrors of induvidually wrapped sweets, only once worn costumes and the waste of millions and millions of pumpkins.

We don’t want to add to those posts.
They could easily make anyone feel they really shouldn’t participate in the fun.
We prefer to look from the bright side.
We love fun. And we love our kids to have fun.
Just have to be a bit sensible about it.

There are plenty of plastic free sweets available. Costumes can be found in each wardrobe -just let the kids have a go at yours and be surprised what they come up with.
And pumpkins … well, carving does not automatically means wasting them, does it?

Enjoying the carving, as well as the carved pumpkin already makes the pumpkin used.
Compare it not with not-carving a pumpkin, but compare it with buying them a cheap toy for half term. They may enjoy their toy for a day or two, but then it will lie about collecting dust, if it isn’t just falling apart already -as cheap toys do. Which one do you think is more environmentally friendly?
Just make sure to compost your pumpkin, and not have it end up in landfill -as the toy probably would.

But you can make so much more use out of your pumpkin.

Our Tip Number One:

Cut out a kind of keyhole shape running down over the back of your pumpkin, rather than just the top.

This will make it so much easier to scoop out both the seeds and the flesh of your pumpkin.

The seeds can be roasted and the flesh can be used in many recipes.

As it may come out in all weird bits and scrapings, here’s Tip Number Two:

Just toss all bit and pieces onto a tray and roast for about 15 minutes. You can then easily mash or puree your pumpkin flesh. This will keep a few days in the fridge, or quite a while in the freezer.
For a wonderful full flavour, I like to toss the pumpkin with mixed spice before roasting. But if you plan on using your puree in savoury dishes, or are still unsure what you might use it for, you can just roast it as is, without adding anything.

Now, I am a lover of spicy pumpkin soups and autumnal pumpkin-and-apple risottos.
And pumpkin goes really well in breads of both the savoury and sweet kind.

But, for Halloween, I’m thinking treats.

A real treat are these Pumpkin Pancakes:

You will need (for about ten large pancakes):
(dairy products may be replaced for the vegan alternative of your preference)

400 gr pumpkin puree (this may be the spiced kind)
250 gr flour
500 ml milk
45 gr sugar
1 tsp cinnamon or mixed spice
1 tsp vanilla extract
a pinch of salt
a few handfuls of raisins
(soak them for at least an hour in rum or brandy for a bit more grown-up flavour)
butter

Toss all ingredients except the raisins and butter together in a bowl and mix until smooth.
Stir in the raisins and let the batter rest for about half an hour.
When you’re ready to start baking, melt a biggish lump of butter in your pan, then stir the melted butter back into your batter – this way you don’t need to grease you pan in between baking your pancakes.
Bake pancakes as you would bake any pancakes.

They have enough flavour to be enjoyed like that, or sprinkled with just a bit of sugar and cinnamon. But they’re also really good with fruit and/ or nuts.
We went for the full seasonal p feast: piling our pumpkin pancakes with pears, plums, pomegranate seeds and pecans.
And a feast it was.

Another treat is the mug-cake.
It is a nice and simple thing, that pleases the kids above all because they can make it. All by themselves.
They can even make me one on Sunday morning to bring me breakfast in bed. Just saying. I’m pretty sure yours could too.
Measurements are loose and nuts and chopped up (dried) fruits can be added to everyone’s liking. As can be a dollop of your favourite nut butter.

Just mix together in a mug:
3 tbs pumpkin puree (may be the spiced kind)
2 tbs porrige oats
1 tbs selfraising flour
1 egg
1tsp mixed spice, or to taste

Microwave for two and a half minutes.
Check whether it’s all set or needs another half minute.
And that’s it.

Kids happy, pumpkin well-used. I dare say, it’s a good thing.

Happy Halloween!