Want expert advice for growing your own crop? Learn how to grow your own pumpkins from our friends at Gardeners’ World.
How to roast pumpkin
The best way to cook pumpkin is by roasting as it often has a high water content so this helps dry it out a little and concentrate the flavour.
- Use a large, heavy knife to break the pumpkin down into manageable pieces, scoop out any seeds and use a potato peeler to peel away the skin.
- Cut into wedges or chunks then toss with a splash of olive oil and lots of seasoning.
- Spread out on a large non-stick baking tray then cook in a 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 oven until tender. The timing will depend on your pumpkin but it should take around 30-40 minutes.
How to toast pumpkin seeds
- To toast your pumpkin seeds, scoop out of the cavity of the pumpkin into a bowl.
- Rinse the seeds with water to get rid of any remaining pulp then pat as dry as possible on kitchen paper. Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.
- Spread the dried seeds out on a non-stick baking tray. Add a splash of olive oil and a good pinch of sea salt flakes then toss everything together.
- If you want to add any extra flavourings (chilli flakes, smoked paprika, cumin seeds, garam masala are all good) then sprinkle over at this point and toss.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway, until lightly golden. Cool on the tray then keep in an airtight jar for snacking.
What to do with leftover pumpkin
Have you carved up the perfect pumpkin design for Halloween? Rather than throwing away the leftovers, you can use any edible parts in a range of savoury dishes, snacks and bakes.
More like this
- Our pumpkin soup and pumpkin pie below involve blitzing up pieces of pumpkin to form a smooth purée, or you can grate them to give an extra moist texture in our pumpkin cake.
- Whole wedges of pumpkin work well in pumpkin curry and risotto, or you can slice them thinly to make our stunning pumpkin pesto tart
- Pumpkin seeds can also be put to great use as a topper for soups, muffins and overnight oats.
Pumpkin recipes
Pumpkin soup
Serve this in big mugs with fat fingers of melty cheese toasties for dipping. See more of our favourite autumn soup recipes.
Pumpkin risotto
This hearty, warming risotto sees chunks of pumpkin roasted with mace and garlic until golden and caramelised, before being stirred through silky risotto and finished with crispy sage.
Pumpkin pie
The best pumpkin pie. Designed to impress, this rich creamy pud uses bought pastry, making it easy but still a special bake. Maple cream goes on the side. Bake one of our sweet tart recipes for your next gathering.
Pumpkin spice latte
Follow expert barista Celeste Wong’s step-by-step guide to making the perfect version of this comforting, autumnal coffee. Check out more autumn coffee ideas including a cinnamon toast crunch coffee…
Pumpkin falafels
These falafels are fun to share, adaptable, vegan and gluten-free. Serve with a cashew ‘tahini’ sauce and shredded red cabbage salad for a feast. This recipe comes from London’s Honey & Co restaurant.
Pumpkin cake
Dotted with nuts and flavoured with maple syrup, this seasonal pumpkin cake is finished with a zesty soft cheese topping. Perfect for a Halloween treat or Bonfire Night slice.
Pumpkin curry
Make the most of pumpkin season with this easy, warming one-pot. Discover more vegetarian curry recipes, from aubergine dhansak to paneer tikka masala.
Pumpkin gnudi
Straight from The Baring pub kitchen, this recipe for pumpkin and ricotta dumplings with crisp radicchio and tangy buttermilk sauce is an impressive vegetarian main.
Pumpkin pesto tart
Use chilli pesto to add a lovely warming kick to this pumpkin, pine nut and chilli pesto tart. It’s great served warm with rocket salad and can easily be made ahead.
Spiced pumpkin tart
In this pumpkin tart, the filling is infused with warming cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg and topped with grated roast hazelnuts – it’s a perfect winter dessert.
Prawn and pumpkin curry
This impressive prawn and pumpkin curry may look complicated, but once you have all the ingredients prepped it’s quite quick to make. Serve with steamed basmati rice and top the curry with crisp fried shallots and fried curry leaves, or fresh coriander. Try more of our top curry recipes here…
Pumpkin muffins
Make your own pumpkin purée to combine with warming autumnal spices for these seasonal pumpkin muffins. Top with cream cheese frosting for a stunning finish.
Baked baby pumpkin with red curry prawns
Red curry prawns are combined with baked pumpkins in this gluten-free main. You could use small butternut squashes instead – the cooking time might need to be adjusted, however.
Vegan pumpkin pie
Ready-made pastry and a tin of pumpkin purée make this plant-based pie very easy to whip up. It’s a sweet, spiced treat that’s perfect for autumn. See more vegan dessert recipes.
Gnocchi with squash, amaretti and rocket
Amaretti may seem like a strange addition to a savoury dish, but in this recipe for gnocchi with squash (you can also use pumpkin), amaretti and rocket, the subtle, sweet crunch really works. It’s vegetarian and ready in just 30 minutes – perfect for a midweek meal.
Roast pumpkin salad
Check out this roast pumpkin and chickpea vegetarian salad. This super easy gluten free recipe makes an ideal midweek meal for the family. Plus, it’s low in calories, too. Check out our vegetarian salad recipes here…
Pumpkin iced ring doughnuts
Baked not fried, these pumpkin spiced doughnuts with salted maple glaze not only look stunning but are easy to make, too. You’ll need 6-hole doughnut tins for these. We used Wilton from amazon.co.uk.
Sri Lankan pumpkin fry with coconut
Serve this spice-filled pumpkin fry with coconut as a side dish to any Sri Lankan-style feast. The recipe uses butternut squash but you can easily substitute with pumpkin. Rich with flavour, it is also vegan and gluten-free.
Kale, pumpkin and bacon stew
Sometimes comfort food comes with a high calorie count. Not this delicious pumpkin, bacon and kale pot which comes in at less than 250 calories but feels like a lot more. Serve with crunchy, buttered sourdough toast for a midweek treat.
Kale salad with roasted pumpkin, pomegranate molasses and almonds
You can use either a pumpkin or butternut squash in this veggie salad. It’s easy, ready in 35 minutes and, best of all, under 300 calories. With rich pomegranate molasses, sweet squash and crunchy almonds, it’s so packed full of flavour that you’ll forget you’re being virtuous.
Roast pumpkin and fennel with mushrooms
This warming veggie recipe is ideal to serve on a wintery Sunday. Roast pumpkin and fennel together then add in buttery fried mushrooms and a drizzle of rich mustard and tarragon cream. This dish could work as a vegetarian main, or a side dish with roast beef or lamb.
Japanese mushroom, chestnut and pumpkin pilaf
If you can get hold of fresh shitake mushrooms this dish is on the table in just 20 minutes, perfect for mid-week! Alternatively you can use vac-packed ones: Merchant Gourmet can be found in most supermarkets.
Pumpkin seed recipes
Butternut squash soup
Spice up your butternut squash soup with crunchy toasted pumpkin seeds and a crumble of feta cheese thrown in for good measure!
Pumpkin seed butter on rye
This makes the perfect vegan toast topper for breakfast. Serve with apple and chia seeds for an energy boosting brekkie. Add date nectar (available from Sainsbury’s and Waitrose) for sweetness, or leave out for savoury toast toppings.
Burrata with savoury granola
Ever thought of baking a batch of savoury granola? Check out this super simple spiced recipe with cumin seeds, smoked paprika and crunchy pumpkin seeds. We’ve served our’s with creamy burrata – perfect for an easy but flavoursome starter recipe. Try our impressive starter recipes here…
Sweet potato and miso mash
Sweet potato just got sweeter with this clever addition of miso seasoning and pumpkin seeds. It’s easy to make, vegetarian and the perfect side dish to complete your meal.
Banana and pumpkin seed muffins
Add some crunch to your morning muffin with our best ever banana and pumpkin seed muffin recipe. Packed with energy they are the perfect way to start the day. Bake a batch of muffins with our ideas here…
Granola clusters with yogurt drizzle
Check out this recipe for our super-quick and easy granola clusters. These make for a great mid-morning or energy-boosting snack.
Overnight oats
This healthy, no-fuss breakfast can be prepped just five minutes the night before, ready for you in the morning. Customise with your choice of fruit, nuts, seeds and other toppings.
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