Pumpkin

This vegetable is a member of the gourd family classified as a winter squash, often with orange flesh and used in Halloween lanterns. Their flesh has a pronounced sweet flavour and is used in both sweet and savoury dishes. Pumpkins can be boiled, steamed, roasted or mashed. In some countries, all squashes are referred to as pumpkins; in others, only large round segmented ones (pictured).

If boiling pumpkin, remove the skin and seeds. If roasting larger pieces, the skin can be left intact for cooking. Choose pumpkins that are heavy for their size and have unblemished skins. Store whole at room temperature for around 1 month. Cover cut pumpkin with plastic wrap and store in the fridge.