Pumpkins are a definite favourite at this time of year. Not only are they our go-to Halloween decoration, but they’re a great base to any autumnal dish. The flesh of the pumpkin, while subtle in flavour, pairs perfectly with spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger, in either a sweet or savoury fashion.
According to historians, pumpkins are believed to have originated in Central America over 7,500 years ago; in fact, some of the oldest domesticated pumpkin seeds were found in the Oaxaca Highlands of Mexico. Though starkly unlike the pumpkins we use today, the small, bitter ancestors of our bulbous, bright orange friends, were also grown to be used in the kitchen. They were extremely easy to keep, thanks to their hard outer layers, meaning they became a staple for generations who lived pre-fridge.