Pumpkin Treats

Sorry it's been a while- I've had the small matter of starting A Levels to contend with...this may well become a bi-annual blog...

It's been Hallowe'en this weekend and, although I don't celebrate the occasion itself, I have a particular fondness for its culinary symbol: the colourful, pungent, plump-yet-sturdy pumpkin. Even the name cannot be said without a jolly little bounce, and for all the joy it brings it turns out to be pretty versatile cookery ingredient, as well. We had delievered to our door on Friday night a hefty bucket-load of pumpkin flesh (a great convenience for us cooks is the tradition of pumpkin-carving- leave it to someone creative to do the prep. work!) and spent all day Saturday baking pumpkin cupcakes and cheesy pumpkin scones.

Such was the mountain of pumpkin that our two pairs of hands were not enough to shift it in its entirety; nevertheless, the fruits of our labour made a nice spread for the following day, when my church set up a market-stall and gave out to passers-by our pumpkin treats (no tricks, unless our creations weren't as delicious as we'd thought!...) Our scones and cupcakes were accompanied by pumpkin tartlets (maple syrup in the filling with a glazed pecan on top) and hot pumpkin soup- the latter a particular hit with the public as they stood shivering in the rain.

Thanks to my friend Debbie for the photos- our only decent camera is away at the moment with my father in India...it should be back for my next post, for which I hope not to leave you waiting another month!