As Halloween fades and you’re left with an abundance of pumpkins, perhaps even some you grew in your polytunnel garden, you might wonder how to make the most of them.
While many people carve pumpkins for decoration, these vibrant orange vegetables are not only visually striking but also delicious and versatile in the kitchen. Pumpkins can be used in a wide range of recipes, both savoury and sweet, and there are many ways to prepare and store them.
This guide will take you through the steps to roast pumpkins, toast their seeds, and transform leftover pumpkin into delightful dishes that will keep the autumn spirit alive in your home. Let’s explore some fantastic pumpkin recipe ideas that can turn your Halloween leftovers into culinary masterpieces.
How to Roast Pumpkin
Roasting pumpkin is the first step in preparing this hearty vegetable for a variety of recipes. Not only does it bring out the natural sweetness of the pumpkin, but it also creates a tender texture that can be easily incorporated into both savoury and sweet dishes.
Steps to Roast Pumpkin:
- Choose the right pumpkin: Small to medium-sized pumpkins (often referred to as “sugar pumpkins”) are best for roasting, as they have a sweeter, more intense flavour compared to large carving pumpkins.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 200°C (180°C fan).
- Prepare the pumpkin: Cut the pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds (don’t throw them away—save them for toasting). Slice the halves into smaller wedges if necessary.
- Season and oil: Place the pumpkin pieces on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper for a savoury dish, or a light sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar for a sweet treat.
- Roast: Bake for about 35-45 minutes until the pumpkin is golden and tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cool and peel: Allow the pumpkin to cool before peeling off the skin. The flesh can now be puréed or used directly in recipes.
How to Toast Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds, often discarded during carving, are actually highly nutritious and make for a tasty snack when toasted. They are rich in protein, fibre, and essential minerals such as zinc and magnesium.
To toast pumpkin seeds:
- Rinse and dry the seeds: After scooping out the seeds, rinse them under cold water to remove any pumpkin flesh. Pat them dry with a towel.
- Season: Toss the seeds with olive oil, salt, and optional seasonings like smoked paprika, garlic powder, or cayenne pepper.
- Toast: Spread the seeds on a baking sheet and toast in a 180°C oven for 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden and crisp.
- Cool and enjoy: Let the seeds cool before eating. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
What to Do with Pumpkins After Halloween
Leftover pumpkin can be incorporated into a variety of recipes, from simple purées to more elaborate dishes. It can be added to soups, stews, curries, and baked goods, and also makes an excellent filling for ravioli or tarts. You can freeze pumpkin purée in portioned bags for future use, making it a convenient ingredient long after Halloween.
If you have a polytunnel, growing pumpkins at home becomes even easier, since the undercover growing space makes it easier for you to successfully grow harvest fresh pumpkins at home, and potentially to store these over winter for later use.
What To Do With Pumpkins: Delicious Pumpkin Recipe Ideas
Pumpkin is one of autumn’s most versatile and beloved ingredients, celebrated for its natural sweetness, smooth texture, and ability to adapt to both sweet and savoury dishes. After Halloween, you might find yourself with an abundance of leftover pumpkins, ready to be transformed into delicious meals.
Whether you’re roasting the flesh, puréeing it for soups, or using it to enrich baked goods, pumpkin can take centre stage in countless recipes. It’s a nutritious, low-calorie vegetable packed with vitamins, fibre, and antioxidants.
From comforting soups and hearty stews to decadent pies and cakes, pumpkin is a seasonal staple that can be used in creative and unexpected ways. Whether you’re looking to try new flavours or put a fresh twist on traditional dishes, there’s a pumpkin recipe for every palate.
10 Savoury Pumpkin Recipe Ideas
Pumpkin’s slightly sweet, earthy flavour pairs beautifully with a range of savoury ingredients, making it a perfect addition to hearty autumn and winter meals.
From creamy soups to vibrant curries, savoury pumpkin dishes are warming, nutritious, and full of seasonal flavour. Its versatility allows it to be the star ingredient in comforting classics like risotto or lasagne, while also adding a subtle richness to vegetarian dishes like stuffed pumpkins or ravioli.
If you’re going to grow pumpkins yourself for an extra touch of freshness to these recipes, we recommend using a large fruit cage or anti bird mesh to protect the crops from pests.
Whether you’re roasting it, stirring it into stews, or blending it into sauces, savoury pumpkin recipes bring out the best of this seasonal vegetable, offering a range of comforting and satisfying meals.
1. Stuffed pumpkin
Stuffed pumpkin makes for a beautiful, rustic main course, perfect for a cosy autumn meal. You can fill the hollowed pumpkin with a mixture of grains, vegetables, meats, or cheeses.
Hollow out a medium-sized pumpkin and fill it with a mixture of cooked quinoa, sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and crumbled feta. Roast at 180°C for about 1 hour, or until the pumpkin is tender and the stuffing is golden.
2. Pumpkin-Gorgonzola Ravioli
Homemade ravioli filled with roasted pumpkin and creamy gorgonzola is a rich and indulgent dish that’s perfect for a special occasion.
Purée roasted pumpkin and mix with gorgonzola cheese, nutmeg, and sage. Spoon the mixture onto sheets of pasta dough, fold, and seal into ravioli. Cook the ravioli in boiling water for 3-4 minutes, then serve with browned butter and sage leaves.
3. Pumpkin Soup
This classic dish is a comforting, velvety soup made from puréed roasted pumpkin. It’s perfect as a starter or light meal on chilly autumn nights.
Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil, add pumpkin purée, vegetable stock, and a pinch of nutmeg. Simmer for 20 minutes, then blend until smooth. Finish with a swirl of cream and fresh parsley.
4. Pumpkin Curry with Chickpeas
A warming and fragrant curry, this dish combines pumpkin with chickpeas for a hearty vegetarian meal.
Sauté onions, garlic, and ginger in oil, then add curry powder, cumin, and coriander. Stir in pumpkin cubes, canned chickpeas, and coconut milk, and simmer until the pumpkin is tender. Serve with basmati rice and fresh coriander.
5. Roast Pumpkin & Spinach Lasagne
This vegetarian lasagne is layered with roasted pumpkin, spinach, and a creamy béchamel sauce for a wholesome, satisfying meal.
Layer sheets of lasagne with roasted pumpkin slices, sautéed spinach, béchamel sauce, and grated cheese. Bake at 180°C for 40 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.
6. Pumpkin Risotto
Pumpkin adds a sweet and creamy element to a traditional risotto.
Sauté onions and garlic in butter, add Arborio rice, and toast for 2 minutes. Gradually add vegetable stock, stirring constantly. Stir in roasted pumpkin and grated Parmesan cheese, and cook until the risotto is creamy.
7. Pumpkin Pesto Tart
A savoury tart filled with roasted pumpkin and a layer of pesto makes for an elegant dish that’s perfect for a light lunch or supper.
Line a tart tin with shortcrust pastry, spread a layer of pesto over the base, and top with roasted pumpkin slices. Bake at 180°C for 25 minutes until golden and crisp.
8. One-Pot Squash Soup
For a simple and quick meal, this one-pot squash soup uses minimal ingredients and offers maximum flavour.
Combine roasted pumpkin, onions, garlic, and vegetable stock in a large pot, and simmer until everything is soft. Blend until smooth, and garnish with a drizzle of olive oil.
9. Smokey Pumpkin Devilled Eggs
These unique devilled eggs add roasted pumpkin to the filling for a seasonal twist on a classic appetiser.
Mix the yolks of hard-boiled eggs with mashed roasted pumpkin, mayonnaise, smoked paprika, and mustard. Spoon the mixture back into the egg whites and sprinkle with chives.
10. Pumpkin and Black Bean Chilli
This pumpkin and black bean chilli is a warming and protein-packed meal, perfect for cold nights.
Sauté onions, garlic, and chilli powder, add black beans, roasted pumpkin cubes, tomatoes, and vegetable stock. Simmer for 30 minutes, then serve with sour cream and chopped coriander.
9 Sweet Pumpkin Recipe Ideas
Pumpkin isn’t just for savoury dishes—its natural sweetness and smooth texture make it perfect for a variety of delicious desserts.
From classic autumn favourites like pumpkin pie and spiced cakes to creative treats such as pumpkin cheesecake and ginger-pumpkin cookies, this versatile vegetable can be used in countless sweet recipes.
Whether you’re looking to use up leftover Halloween pumpkins or simply enjoy the warm, comforting flavours of the season, these sweet pumpkin recipes are sure to delight. With a touch of spice and a hint of richness, pumpkin transforms even the simplest desserts into festive indulgences.
1. Pumpkin Pie
The classic pumpkin pie is a must-try, especially after Halloween. Its spiced, custard-like filling is a true autumn treat.
Make a pastry crust and blind bake for 10 minutes. For the filling, blend pumpkin purée with sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cream. Pour into the crust and bake at 180°C for 45 minutes until set.
2. Halloween Pumpkin Cake
This moist pumpkin cake, spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, is perfect for using up leftover pumpkins after Halloween.
Mix together pumpkin purée, sugar, eggs, flour, cinnamon, and baking powder. Pour into a greased tin and bake for 30 minutes at 180°C. Top with cream cheese frosting.
3. Pumpkin Pie S’mores
A fun twist on the classic s’mores, this version adds a layer of pumpkin pie filling to the marshmallow and chocolate combination.
Spread a layer of pumpkin pie filling onto graham crackers, add a toasted marshmallow and a square of chocolate, then sandwich another graham cracker on top.
4. Pumpkin & Pecan Cheesecake Pie
This decadent dessert combines pumpkin pie and cheesecake in one, with a crunchy pecan topping.
Prepare a pumpkin pie filling and a cheesecake filling. Layer the cheesecake mix over the pie base, then add the pumpkin mix. Sprinkle with pecans and bake for 1 hour at 160°C.
5. Pumpkin Spice Latte
A homemade version of the popular autumn drink, using real pumpkin purée for an authentic flavour.
Heat milk with pumpkin purée, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add espresso and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
6. Baked Pumpkin Fondue
This impressive dish serves as both a dessert and a table centrepiece, with melted cheese or chocolate inside a hollowed-out pumpkin.
Fill a hollowed-out pumpkin with layers of cheese or chocolate and cream. Bake at 180°C for 45 minutes until the filling is melted and bubbling. Serve with bread or biscuits for dipping.
7. Pumpkin cheesecake
Creamy, rich pumpkin cheesecake is a great way to use up any leftover pumpkin purée.
Combine cream cheese, pumpkin purée, sugar, and spices, then pour onto a biscuit base. Bake at 160°C for 1 hour, and chill before serving.
8. Pumpkin pancakes with salted pecan butterscotch
These fluffy pancakes are perfect for an indulgent autumn brunch, topped with salted pecan butterscotch sauce.
Mix pumpkin purée into pancake batter and fry in butter. For the sauce, melt butter, sugar, and cream in a pan, then stir in toasted pecans and a pinch of salt.
9. Ginger-Pumpkin Cookies
These spiced, chewy cookies are great for a sweet treat with a cup of tea.
Combine flour, baking soda, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, and pumpkin purée. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking tray and bake at 180°C for 10 minutes until golden.
FAQs
u003cstrongu003eWhat can I do with my pumpkin?u003c/strongu003e
You can roast pumpkins, toast the seeds, and use the flesh in a wide range of dishes, from soups and curries to cakes and pies. You can also freeze pumpkin purée for later use.
u003cstrongu003eWhat recipes can be made from pumpkin?u003c/strongu003e
Pumpkins are incredibly versatile and can be used in both savoury and sweet dishes. Examples include pumpkin soup, ravioli, lasagne, pie, and even cheesecake.
u003cstrongu003eCan you freeze 100% pumpkin?u003c/strongu003e
Yes, pumpkin purée can be frozen in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to six months. This allows you to enjoy the taste of pumpkin long after the autumn season has passed.
u003cstrongu003eWhat is the healthiest way to eat pumpkin?u003c/strongu003e
Roasting pumpkin without added sugar or heavy creams is one of the healthiest ways to enjoy it. Pumpkin is low in calories and rich in vitamins A and C, making it an excellent addition to a balanced diet. Remember the seeds too- they are also really good for you!
Sources
Filson, M., (2024) 57 Scary-Delicious Halloween Recipes To Make This October. Delish. [online] Available at:https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/halloween/g366/scary-halloween-recipes/ [accessed 28/10/2024]
