To carve or not to carve? That's the question this Halloween.

Shockingly, it's said that the amount of pumpkins thrown away each year would be enough to provide every person in the UK with a bowl of pumpkin soup!

 

Ultimately, the least wasteful thing to do is not to carve them: Pop an un-carved pumpkin in your window with some candles and spooky decorations around it instead! But, hey, I'll admit you'd miss out on some Halloween fun and it is only once a year after all. 

 

If you choose to carve them, make sure you make the most of them! Here's some pumpkin recipes:

Pumpkin Soup

• Olive oil
• 2 finely chopped onions
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped or crushed
• 1kg pumpkin chunks - make sure you take the seeds out!
• 700ml vegetable stock
• 150ml double cream 
• Salt, pepper, chilli flakes and smoked paprika, to taste

Psst... hey, vegans! Swap the double cream for a dairy free alternative or use a nice, thick plant milk with extra olive oil.

Fry the onions and garlic in a saucepan with the oil until soft.

Then, add the pumpkin and fry it for 8-10 minutes. Add the paprika and chilli flakes.

Once the pumpkin is golden and soft, add the stock to the pan and bring to the boil. Season with salt and pepper.

Immediately bring to a simmer, then leave for 10 minutes.

Add the double cream and blitz until it becomes a smooth consistency.

Serve with a nice, thick chunk of bread...or two. Why not top it with more chilli flakes, paprika, grated cheese or nutritional yeast?

 

 

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds - This one is SUPER easy! 

Once you've scooped out the insides of your pumpkin, don't throw them away! Roasted pumpkin seeds are great as a snack, as a part of your granola or even sprinkled on top of curries.

Run the pumpkin flesh under a cold tap and pull out the seeds - the cold tap makes it a lot easier! 

Boil the seeds in some salt water - the more salt and the longer you boil, the more salty the roasted seeds will be. Finally, lay your seeds out on a baking tray with a little oil and roast until golden brown.

 

Fancy something sweet?

We found this amazing Pumpkin Pie recipe that I can't wait to try. And, guess what? It's vegan too! Have a read of it here>>

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Or how about some Pumpkin Cake? This one's for all of the carrot cake fans out there. Find the recipe here>>

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Whatever you choose to do with your pumpkin this halloween; carve it, eat it or both (ideally both!) we'd love to hear how you get on with any of these recipes so tag us @tabithaeveco

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