3. A Halloween special, these pumpkins make
great lanterns. They’re smaller than their
mammoth cousins, but just as spooky!
Don’t throw away the seeds when you have
carved the pumpkin face. Roast and sprinkle
them with sugar for a treat with a difference
for those cheeky ‘trick or treaters.’
‘Gold Fever’
‘Trick or treating’ began in the Middle
Ages as a European custom known as
‘souling’. People from the lower classes
sang songs and begged for ‘soul cakes’.
Each cake eaten would represent a soul
being freed from purgatory.
‘souling’. People from the lower classes
sang songs and begged for ‘soul cakes’.
Each cake eaten would represent a soul
4. These giants are often entered into
competitions. The heaviest recorded
weight of this aptly named pumpkin was
over 113kg, as heavy as a baby elephant!
The mammoth is perfect as a big Halloween
lantern and the flesh is delicious cooked up
into a sweet pumpkin pie.
‘Mammoth’
The largest pumpkin pie ever made was in
Ohio, USA in 2010. It was over six metres
wide, weighed 1,814kg and was cut into
5,000 slices!
The largest pumpkin pie ever made was in
Ohio, USA in 2010. It was over six metres
wide, weighed 1,814kg and was cut intowide, weighed 1,814kg and was cut into
5. This sweet pumpkin looks like a round
butternut squash and smells like melon.
The flowers of this variety, like all pumpkins,
squashes and courgettes, are edible and make
colourful accompaniments to any meal.
Add a hint of the Mediterranean into your
cooking. Fill each flower with ricotta cheese
mixed with herbs, dip in batter, deep
fry and enjoy with a lovely glass of bubbly.
‘Autumn Crown’
Food for bees
The flowers of the pumpkin family are not just a floral
treat for us, but provide bees with food too. In return
the bees pollinate the plants, so are essential if we
want good crops of squash, courgettes and cucumbers.
6. These handsome hooligans make
unusual and colourful individual bowls
for chilli, soup and stews.
Impress your friends on a cold winter’s day.
‘Hooligan’
The pattern on the skin of this
variety resembles freckles.
Pumpkins were once thought to be
a cure for freckles and snake bites!
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7. These sunny miniature pumpkins are
also called round courgettes and like
courgettes have a delicate, buttery taste.
Chop them in half, top with goat’s cheese
and bake. Serve with a generous helping of
caramelised onion.
‘Summer Ball’
Courgettes are also known as zucchini.
This name comes from the Italian word
‘zucchina’ which means ‘small pumpkin’.
Courgettes are also known as zucchini.
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8. This colourful variety is said
to resemble the patterned
costume of a harlequin.
These pumpkins make a show
stopper meal for a dinner
party. Try filling them with a
delicious risotto!
‘High Sugar
Harlequin’
There are countless varieties of
pumpkins which come in many
different shapes, sizes and colours,
all of which originate from just a
few different species.
‘High Sugar‘High Sugar
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9. This summer beauty has a light
buttery flavour. Perfect to brighten
up any summer dish.
‘Lunar Eclipse’
Pumpkins may not help you see
in the dark but they are good for
your eyes! Packed with vitamin
A and C, these vitamins are
particularly good for eyesight
and the immune system.
10. Ready for something sweet?
Add the puree of this lunar delight into
a light batter for pumpkin cinnamon
pancakes!
’Moonbeam’
To flavour 250ml of
pancake batter add:
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground ginger
100g pureed
‘Moonbeam’ squash
Mix together the
ingredients, ladle into
your hot pan, and serve
with maple syrup or
crème fraiche. Enjoy!
your hot pan, and serve
RECIPE
11. The size of a cricket ball, this gem
squash is perfect for roasting.
Chop in half and pop into the oven
and bake. Serve with a knob of butter.
Deliciously simple.
‘Rolet’
Gem squash are very popular in South
Africa. The common way of serving
them is stuffed with creamed corn
(sweet corn and cheese) and baked.
Why not give it a try!
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12. Brighten up your BBQ feast by roasting
these little gems.
Wrap in foil, add olive oil and pop onto
the coals. Perfect on a summers day.
‘Sunbeam’
The word ‘barbecue’ derives from the
language of the Taíno people of the
Caribbean. It was translated into European
languages as barbacoa. It translates as
“sacred fire pit.”
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13. A miniature pumpkin for
miniature hands!
Give the children a different dinner
experience. These pumpkins are perfect
as individual soup or stew bowls.
‘Baby Bear’
RECIPE
Simply cook up onion,
butter, stock and
roasted pumpkin, pop
into a blender to make
it a smooth soup. Serve
in your empty ‘Baby
Bear’ pumpkins!
14. The taste of hazelnut and pepper,
all you need to do is cut in half, add
chopped mushrooms, cheese and
roast. Enjoy!
‘Table Ace’
The ‘Table Ace’ is one of
the sweetest pumpkins
available so few
flavours are needed.
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15. Dessert with a difference.
These pumpkins make perfect dessert bowls.
Fill with spiced pumpkin ice cream for a
magical end to you meal.
‘Fairy’
RECIPE
Simply add 1/2 tsp each
of cinnamon, ground
cloves, ground nutmeg
and allspice to your
homemade ice-cream
mixture before freezing.
Serve in your empty ‘Fairy’
pumpkins and enjoy!
16. Remind you of anything?
This variety is popular in interior design,
ideal as a canvas with a difference to
create an artistic masterpiece on.
Particularly eerie as a Halloween lantern,
but don’t forget about the inside! It has
a light and buttery flavour, making it the
perfect filling for pumpkin pie.
‘Snowman’
Instead of carving your pumpkin
this year why not paint it instead?
The skin of these pumpkins make
a great canvas. Give it a try and
let your imagination take over!
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17. This light green beauty has a very
sweet, rich flavour.
Perfect for grilling and sautéing, it makes
an ideal accompaniment for your steaks.
‘Crown Prince’
Pumpkins and princes have often been
the inspiration for stories. Probably
the most popular is Cinderella. The
pumpkin ‘Rouge vif d’Etampes’, also
known as the ‘Cinderella’ pumpkin was
the inspiration for Cinderella’s coach.
