The Delicious Diverse Autumn Squash
The time has come to engage in some pumpkin fun. Why not have a go at carving and etching them or even cook up some delicious treats?
An extraordinary variety of pumpkins has arrived. Cinderella-carriage-like creatures have taken over shop windows and market stalls. It is a nice trip-out to go pick from the season’s harvest; better yet, actually picking one, should there be a nearby opportunity. Alternatively, if you would like your child to appreciate the time and care required to help a seed sprout and grow, you can plant your own pumpkin.
Not only does this autumn vegetable look impressive, it is tasty both sweet and savoury with some vitamins too. Speaking of food, Friends of the Earth highlighted the environmental impact of purchasing plastic pumpkins for decoration and the waste of edible ones thereafter. They have given valuable tips on how to best store your veggies, with recipe links too.
The common activity at this time of year is pumpkin carving: a pleasant, creative time to share with each other and keeps your child entertained for hours. It’s the ideal opportunity for them to let their imagination flow freely (and hone their dexterity as a bonus). From a safeguarding perspective, this should be a perfectly passable playtime so long as there is an adult supervising, who has performed a prior risk assessment. This need not be as formal as it sounds; it is after all a simple checklist of hazards when dealing with heat, flames and sharp objects. Safewise have provided some child-friendly pumpkin-carving advice.
To complete your pumpkin’s transformation into a lantern, you will need some light to make it glow. Traditionally this would be candles but a quick hazard dodger is to use battery operated or solar powered tea-lights. These can be then used all year round for multiple other purposes.
For a final flourish, your pumpkin munchkins can participate in a spot of squash sketching and etching. The younger ones begin by sketching a picture that the older children, or adults, then etch onto the vegetable.
If you do not have the time to carve with your little ones, why not let them paint their pumpkin? Have a go at making edible paints: finger-licking messy fun!
What to do with all the dug-out gold? Do not let your pumpkins join those that are destined for food waste this year. Cook up supper with this super vegetable to inspire young minds to use all food. If you find some children are put off tasting a scary looking plant, sneaky veg has developed ways to help them change their mind. Why not start off with their pumpkin brownies?
It comes but once a year, but this diverse species has plenty to keep you spooked and in cheer.
Wishing you all a safe and yummy pumpkin season.