Carving out pumpkins is such a fundamental part of Halloween. An immensely satisfying way to relax and create. Though the bit I’m not fond of is throwing away the flesh. Raised with a very post-war mentality wasting food is something I can’t tolerate, especially when it’s such a nutritionally rich vegetable, so here are two ideas of how to use the flesh in an interesting and novel way.
Spiced Pumpkin Latte
Make a simple pumpkin puree in order to create an autumnally warming latte or an iced pumpkin coffee depending on your mood and the weather:
Step 1: Place pumpkin flesh in a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil.
Cook for 20 minutes or until pumpkin is tender. Drain well and allow to cool. Then puree the flesh in a food processor or mash with a potato masher.
Once pureed it can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, or deep freeze for 3 - 6 months.
Step 2: Ingredients - 1tbsp pumpkin purée, 1/2 tsp of a warming spice mix (combine ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove and store in a jar for these latte moments), 1 cup milk (my current favourite is oatmilk by Oatly Barista Edition available in the Co-op, it froths up equally as well as cow’s milk), 1tsp maple syrup , ½ tsp vanilla extract , 1 shot espresso (optional for those who are caffeine sensitive)
Whisk all ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat. Simmer for 5 minutes
Step 3: Remove from heat and pour through a fine-mesh sieve to remove pulp. Return to saucepan and simmer, whisking for around 2 minutes
Step 4: Add the espresso and continue whisking to produce the desired frothiness. Pour into a mug, sprinkle with a little cinnamon and enjoy!
Photography by Jakub Kapusnak
Recipe 2
Another very simple way to use your pumpkin puree is to blend up a sliced pumpkin smoothie:
Step 1: Prepare your ingredients
· 1 small frozen banana (best to pre slice before freezing)
· 1.5 cups (360ml) coconut, almond or oat milk
· 1 teaspoon honey
· 1/2 cup (170g) Pumpkin Puree
Step 2: Add all the ingredients to the blender and blend until very smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Pour into glasses and decorate with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Delicious either way!