Pumpkin recipes for Halloween (and beyond)

Pumpkin recipes for Halloween – food waste reduction

In a survey conducted by environmental charity Hubbub, it was found that more than half of the 24 million Halloween pumpkins purchased in the UK each year were destined for the bin. But once you know that so many parts of the humble pumpkin are edible, the options for pumpkin recipes for Halloween and beyond are almost endless!

If you’re a one pumpkin kind of person, you might want to whip up some of these Halloween pumpkin recipes after you’ve carved your lantern. If your pumpkin haul is a little larger, you can always prepare the ones you can’t use immediately in a variety of ways and freeze them. Then you’ll have chopped, pureed, sliced and par-boiled pumpkin ready to go throughout the coming months.

Halloween pumpkin recipe ideas – the seeds

Before you scoop out the flesh of your Halloween pumpkin, why not whip up a snack to enjoy while you carve?  Pumpkin seeds are a delicious snack, and all you need to do is remove them from your pumpkin, give them a good rinse before patting dry with a paper towel.

Pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees Celcius (180 fan/gas mark 6), then toss the seeds in a small amount of oil and your favourite herbs or spices. Some great combinations include: 

• Salt and pepper 
• Paprika and chilli 
• Chilli and garlic 
• Cinnamon and sugar 
• Salt and balsamic vinegar
• Maple syrup, soy sauce and lime

Place the seeds in a single layer on a baking tray and bake for about 30 mins – tossing them once during the cooking time. If you like a really crunchy seed, turn off the oven and allow them to cool in the oven with the door cracked open. Delicious!

Halloween pumpkin recipes – the flesh 

Now you’ve had your carving snack and you’re ready to scoop out your pumpkin’s flesh, what should you do with it?

Check out our favourite recipes for your Halloween pumpkin flesh and you’ll never be tossing your pumpkin into the food waste bin again!

Roasted pumpkin

You can’t go wrong with a classic roast pumpkin side dish. A perfect accompaniment with your Sunday roast. 

Chop the pumpkin into large chunks, toss in some oil (vegetable or olive work well) and pop in your oven (pre-heated to 200 degrees (180 fan/gas mark 6) for about 40-60 mins. This will easily cook alongside any roast. You can also add your personal twist to the seasoning. Garlic and chilli are a great complement to a middle eastern style lamb roast while rosemary and thyme will suit traditional chicken flavours. 

Pumpkin pie

Another classic – would it be autumn without one? We love this pumpkin pie recipe from BBC Good Food, or for a dairy and egg-free version, this vegan pumpkin pie recipe is easy and delicious.

The method for preparing your pumpkin in both of these recipes (step 3) is a great example of how to make pumpkin puree. To freeze any excess puree, spoon it into ice cube trays to use at a later date. 

Spicy pumpkin soup 

This Thai-spiced pumpkin soup will warm you right through on those chilly days following Halloween. Make a large batch and freeze in snack-sized portions for a quick, microwavable snack or lunch. Serve with flatbread or warm crusty bread for ultimate comfort!

Pumpkin cake

Who doesn’t love a bit of cake? This simple pumpkin cake recipe uses pumpkin puree which you can easily make – see the pumpkin pie recipe above and go to step 3. 

Pumpkin scones

A great twist on an afternoon tea classic, these savoury pumpkin scones will be great with some creamy butter and maybe a slice or two of cheese (oh and your cup of tea)! 

Pumpkin curry 

Another great option if you have large amounts of pumpkin is this pumpkin curry with chickpeas for added protein and goodness. Curry only gets better with age so whip up a large batch and freeze for a warming family meal. 

Pumpkin hummus

There’s no denying that hummus is a trend that’s here to stay. Making your own means you can mix up the flavours and this pumpkin hummus recipe is a great one to add to your repertoire. Serve with warm pitta and some lightly pickled red onion for a great addition to your Halloween party food.

Pumpkin pickle

When in doubt, try a pickle. We’re not sure whose mantra this is but if it’s not been claimed, it’s now ours. This pumpkin pickle recipe is a great accompaniment to a cheese board or to cut through the fat of a hearty meat dish. 

Pumpkin milkshake 

Keep the kids (and grown-ups) happy with this pumpkin milshake recipe. This is a great one to have in the bank for your frozen pumpkin once the weather starts to warm up again – although we’d be pretty happy drinking them all year round.

Harry Potter-themed pumpkin pasties

Love Harry Potter? Love pumpkin? Love pastry? Even if you only score a 2/3 in this poll, these pumpkin pasties are a winner.

Pumpkin seed milk 

If you’ve still got some seeds leftover, pumpkin seed milk is another great alternative to nut milk. This is a nice, simple recipe, which is the way we like things!   

Show us your favourite pumpkin recipes for Halloween!

Do you have a favourite pumpkin recipe for Halloween (or any other time of year) that you’d like us to tell the world about? Post your photos on Instagram and tag us @AilunaCommunity, or send them to us on Facebook. We will re-post all of them!