October 1, 2011 TAKING IT SLOW OCTOBER: OH MY GOURD!
BY KATY DAVIDSON
October has the feeling of a month that is taking a deep breath and assimilating all the colourful warmth and fecundity of summer in preparation for the true winter months. The halcyon glow finds its last expression in burnished tones on leaves and in the berries, fruit and vegetables of the harvest season.
An iconic plant that is almost inseparable from October with its Halloween history is the Pumpkin. This association is not necessarily one of food as rows of hand carved grinning Jack ‘o’ Lanterns will show. This decorative use is quite a waste of an incredibly versatile, tasty and healthy foodstuff. The pumpkin is actually a fruit and its name derives from the Greek word ‘pepon’ which translates as ‘large melon’. An understandable allusion when considering the large orange winter squash we’re most familiar with in the UK. In America it is one of the most popular crops with a staggering 1.5 Billion pounds of pumpkins grown each year. When produced commercially for food, the pumpkin has a number of uses and most of the fruit can be used.
As well as the obvious uses of the pumpkin flesh for roasting, baking and soups, Pumpkin juice has recently become more common, quite clearly due to its fame as the favourite Hogwarts libation in Harry Potter.
There are also culinary uses for the seeds and flowers. The seeds are most used in terms of a healthy snack alternative usually roasted and salted. Pumpkin seeds have many health benefits, they are a good source of protein, zinc, magnesium, manganese and are claimed even to lower cholesterol. A gram of pumpkin seed protein will contain the same amount of tryptophan as a glass of milk; a great source of this vital amino acid, especially if you happen to have a dairy intolerance.
Another way the seeds are used is to extract their potently flavoured oil for a rich dressing on salads and soups. The more adventurous can try using it in sweet dishes too as an added piquancy on ice cream or on fruit. This oil’s potency is in more than its flavour with masses of essential fatty acids that help to maintain healthy blood vessels, nerves and tissues.
One of my favourite dishes with this and other gourds and squashes is one that I first learnt from my father using, the summer squash, marrow. My father would take a large marrow, hollow it out, stuff it with a spicy minced lamb and onion filling then bake it. The ominously shaped foil shroud was dubbed ‘Stuffed Cat’ as he was allergic to cats and we had two that tormented him! The pumpkin version has just as interesting a shape and can be a really fun way of serving this fruit in season and in it’s full, orange glory. Carrying this gorgeous centrepiece to the table for a family dinner brings a fairytale feeling to the meal.
The traditional giant pumpkins can be found in the supermarket, but many Cornish farms have them growing organically such as Cusgarne Organics between Truro and Falmouth who do a local delivery or farm pick up service. If you want to explore the world of pumpkins even further, then October brings the perfect opportunity.
Trengwainton Garden in Madron near Penzance is holding a Pumpkin Fun Day on Sunday 24th October. You’ll be able to take part in pumpkin crafts like carving your own pumpkin lantern ready for halloween and they are putting on a special pumpkin menu in their tea room. Be sure to pay your respects to the bounty of the pumpkin by not wasting those precious seeds, take them home and roast them for that perfect wintry snack that just happens to be one of the healthiest seeds around or save them for planting next summer so you have your own gourdy harvest in 2011!
www.cusgarne.org
www.katydavidson.com
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Hi Katy - We get a big hamper of pumpkins each season, from a friend who grows-her-own on a rural pumpkin patch. Not only do they look fantastic and quirky, but they make a hearty and nutritious meal. As a London personal trainer, I encourage my clients to experiment by cooking with pumpkins - baked or roasted being my favourite. And you can try out homemade pumpkin scones, for a treat!