The pumpkin flesh need not go to waste after carving. Photo / Dean Purcell
Use up that lovely pumpkin flesh after the kids have finished carving up the jack o' lantern.
In your cups
Replace grated carrots with pureed pumpkin in your favourite carrot cake or muffins recipe, bake into cupcakes for the little trick or treaters (orange paper cups essential). Ice with scary white
ghost icing, or clever stem and green leaves.
Fudge it
Cook 2 cups sugar with 1/2 cup each of pureed cooked pumpkin and evaporated milk, 1/4 tsp each of cornflour and spices, until it reaches soft ball stage. Beat in 1/4 cup of butter, a tsp of vanilla and your favourite chopped nuts to taste. Resist the temptation to add orange food colouring.
Jump on gingerbread
Make an early start to your Christmas gingerbread: add pumpkin puree to a rich loaf or biscuits recipe - replace half the butter or fat with the same amount of pumpkin puree and cook at a slightly lower temperature for slightly less time than your regular recipe.
