Don't waste those pumpkins

A campaign in the UK is encouraging people to use the pumpkin flesh after they carve their
Halloween lanterns. According to recent research by the charity Hubbub, 18, 000 tonnes of
squash is thrown into UK bins each Halloween. That's the same weight as 1, 500 double decker
buses! I'm doubly shocked: firstly, that anyone would waste this delicious vegetable, and
secondly that people would put it in the bin rather than composting it.
I'm sure TAG readers would never do such a thing. Personally, I've used our pumpkins in every 3
courses of dinner. As well as a tasty pot of veggie and bean curry, I've made pumpkin and pea
samosas a lighter, healthier version than potato ones, and the chocolate spider cakes for our
Halloween pudding have a bit of pumpkin added in for extra moistness.

Scary spider cakes - watch out Glynis!

Other recipe ideas are pumpkin soups, casseroles and tagines, or traditional US treats like
pumpkin pie. And don't discard the seeds either: save a few for growing more pumpkins next
year, and roast the rest in the oven with a bit of olive oil and salt for a tasty snack that's high in
protein, zinc, magnesium, omega 3 oils, antioxidants and fibre.
recipes to taglines82@gmail.com

Debbie