Return of the spooky pumpkin

Halloween is almost upon and the stores are full of delicious pumpkins. Some big, some small, long, fat, skinny, tall, round, ribbed, smooth and even warty.

Many of the pumpkins you see will be used for creating spooky carvings with ghoulish faces at Halloween and the rest of the pumpkin will go to waste. However, there are many uses for this vegetable.

Pumpkins are also very nutritious and are full of calcium and fiber which has multiple health benefits.

Pumpkins also look great thanks to that attractive and vibrant orange that fits the autumn months ahead. This means that almost no part of the pumpkin goes to waste.

Another great part of the pumpkin are the seeds.  A prefect snack on the go. They are a healthy, delicious and nutritious snack thanks to their high mineral content and excellent protein source.

They can also be used as a new twist for your bar by replacing the common peanut. A great way to do that is to roast them. Here are some top methods for cooking with pumpkin...

Blend

A warming soup is perfect during the autumn and winter months as the temperature starts to drop and the winds picks up. A quick and simple way to accomplish this is to make it in a blender.

Shake

What you might not have known is that pumpkins can be used in all kind of cocktails and are perfect for the fall season as a seasonal themed drink. Why not try and infuse pumpkin into your classic cocktail by using a shaker.

Toast

Pumpkin seeds are one of the best parts of this vegetable and are so often thrown away. There are plenty of recipes out there for these seeds. Why not add them to your bread or add a pinch to your salad for that extra crunch and protein. Or simply toast them in a frying pan or grill in a baking tray and add a sprinkle of salt for your bar snack.





Decorate

Pumpkins are still great for carving. All you need is a good knife and a steady hand to make some great designs that will spook your neighbors....