Many people enjoy carving pumpkins for Halloween, and there are plenty of ways to get creative with seasonal displays in your home. But if you grow your own food, carving a pumpkin is just the beginning. Here are some other ways that you might be able to make the most of garden produce this fright night:
Don't Just Carve Pumpkins – Carve Other Seasonal Produce Too
Many people stick to the basics, and carve the large, orange pumpkins that you will find in the supermarkets. But as a home grower, there is potential for your display to be eye-catchingly different. You could potentially grow a wide range of different pumpkins, squashes and marrows, and these could all be carved in amusing, frightening or creative ways to brighten up your home and scare off the things that go bump in the night.
Don't Just Carve Produce for Decoration – Eat The Flesh You Carve Out Too
While large supermarket pumpkins are grown for size not taste, home grown produce can be far more delicious. You can carve your produce and eat it too. Set aside the flesh you scoop out and use it in a range of delicious soups, stews, curries, casseroles and other dishes.
Don't Forget About The Seeds of Your Home Grown Produce
It is also important to remember that squash and pumpkin seeds can also be saved. There should be little waste. While the stringy pulp can be put on your compost heap, the seeds should be saved – either to be eaten, or (for heritage varieties) perhaps also to sow next year.
Use Autumn Top Fruits
Pumpkins, squash and marrow can obviously be hollowed out to create decorations, or used to create ghoulish recipes to delight your friends and family. But you can also make use of plenty of other produce of the season.
For example, dry top fruits like apples to make wrinkled and wizened shrunken heads – another creepy Halloween display option. Of course, you could also cook them up in a range of autumnal recipes.
Use Your Soft Fruits Too
Soft fruits like blackberries could also be used to make some blood red compote or jam for a Halloween gore-fest. There are plenty of ingenious recipes out there that you could choose from. Get creative, and entertainment and nutrition can be as one.
These are just a few suggestions to help you make the most of your garden produce this Halloween. Gardening and growing your own can sometimes by hard work – but you can also have a lot of fun.