Certain fruits and squashes usually become ripe in the Autumn. This offers us a whole new set of tastes and recipes to start exploring. It might be that you’ve had enough of Salads and the like over the summer months and as the season starts to turn a bit chilly and the trees start to turn to red and orange, a more warming tea or lunch may well be on your mind. This is where the humble squash, like the pumpkin, can be a great meal provider and full of seasonal goodness.
Like most squashes, the pumpkin is a super versatile plant. You can construct a 3-course meal from it if you really want to. The other thing in its favour is that when you’ve hollowed out its fleshy innards, the kids can cut it up and make lanterns out of it for Halloween or just in general as a celebration of the season as a whole. Here are a few ideas for the Autumn dinner using a Pumpkin. You can get a three course meal out of just a few of them.
Pumpkin soup. Easy and effective, this is hearty soup that when combined with some nice speciality bread and butter means you may have enough room for the next two parts of the meal.
Stuffed Pumpkin. Fill it full of rice, seeds and Bramley apple pieces (another seasonal favourite) and you’ve got a vegan meal fit for everyone. Roast it and it will be a lovely golden brown. If you are not of the Veggie persuasion some smoked Bacon or a chicken chasseur can make a great accompaniment. No need for spuds though! There is also room for some chilli flakes to give it a bit of bite to help keep out the chilly weather that the month usually brings along with it.
Pumpkin pie. This is considered a staple in North American at this time of year. You can have it as a savoury or a sweet dish depending on your mood. This just goes to show the incredible versatility of the squash itself. Sweet is the general preference and the addition of caster sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg turns the bland pumpkin flesh into the perfect pie filling. All you have to do is pop it in a shortcrust pastry base and bake in the oven. Serve with cream, Vanilla ice cream or custard if you are feeling particularly indulgent.