13 Delicious Pumpkin Recipes for Halloween
When carving the pumpkins for Halloween, there’s no need for the delicious insides to go to waste. Why not turn it all into a yummy meal or snack for the family?
You just need to know where to shop and which recipe to follow and you’ll be enjoying a delicious meal in no time.
Where to shop
Wandering around the grower’s market on a busy Saturday morning might be a joy for some, but we prefer the merchants of Marketplace Gungahlin. Here you can pick up some fresh bread from Bakers Delight, then head to Woolworths to gather up your fresh and tasty produce.
Prawn and pumpkin curry
It may sound complicated, but this prawn and pumpkin curry is actually exceptionally easy to make. And a delight for the senses. The key here is to have all the ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking. It’s best with some steamed basmati rice. Don’t forget to top it off with some fried shallots and fresh coriander.
Spice cake
Pumpkin cake you say? Yep, pumpkin cake. Topped off with layers of cream-cheese frosting. A fun take on the traditional pumpkin pie, this pumpkin spice cake makes a beautiful impression even before it hits your mouth. With hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, the cake is moist and delicious. And the frosting is absolutely mouth-watering.
Pumpkin gnocchi
Topped with a sprinkling of amaretti (Italian macaroons), this gnocchi is flavoursome, vegetarian and ready in a mere 30 minutes. If you want to make your own gnocchi, it will take longer but nevertheless, it’s still quite a simple meal to make. And the sweet crunch of the amaretti biscuits really works.
Cut-out cookies
Perfect to serve at dinner on Halloween or give out to the trick-or-treaters, these spiced pumpkin cut-out cookies even have pumpkin puree in the biscuit batter. Soft, thick and slightly resembling a cake, the cookies have a subtle pumpkin flavour with just the right amount of spices. Plus, the decorating is a breeze.
Pumpkin pie tarts
Bite-sized and perfect in their mini size, the pumpkin pie tarts only have five ingredients. They’re a quick and easy dessert option that you can simply whip up on the day. Best of all, you don’t need any special tools to make them – everything can be found in your kitchen already. In fact, the tart shells are made in a mini-muffin tray.
A tip: if you’re going to pre-prepare the filling, only pipe it into the shells the day you’re going to serve, otherwise the shells will get a bit too soft.
Witch’s brew stew
The perfect meal for All Hallow’s Eve. A delicious take on an old family favourite – pumpkin soup. Witch’s brew pumpkin stew is gluten free and the pumpkin flavours are brought out by a hint of maple syrup. And it takes under an hour to cook. Perfect!
Creamy baked penne
While you can enjoy this dish any time of year, Halloween brings out the pumpkin in all of us. The pumpkin cream sauce that accompanies the baked penne dish has a hint of sweetness, complemented by the savoury flavours of sage and onion. And the buttery crumb topping brings a little crunch to the mix too.
Pumpkin seed brittle
Perfect as a bite-sized snack and a slightly healthier option to hand out to the kids, this pumpkin seed brittle is delicious. The salty-sweet burst of flavour happens when the pumpkin seeds and warm cinnamon and mixed together. Plus, you can snack on it long after Halloween is done, as the brittle keeps for up to a week – if it’s not eaten before!
Kale and bacon pot
Comfort food generally has a high calorie count, but the kale, pumpkin and bacon pot seems to be the exception. It’s hearty and filling but exceptionally good for you so it’s great for a midweek dinner or a nourishing meal with friends. Add some crunchy sourdough toast and you’ve got yourself a winning spread.
Caramel poke cake
Described as a showstopper, the pumpkin caramel poke cake will not disappoint. It’s ridiculously easy and it tastes as good as it looks. For those who don’t know, it’s called a poke cake because after you bake it, holes are poked in the surface and the caramel mixture is poured through. Between the pumpkin base and the sauce, this is definitely one of the moistest cakes you’ll ever eat.
Vegetarian tacos
Mixing Mexican cuisine with Halloween, these vegetarian tacos are perfect for a Halloween party. They even sport the traditional Halloween colours. Top the taco with some ricotta and balsamic drizzle and the flavours burst. The sweet pumpkin paired with the bitter kale and vinegar dressing, mixed with the crunch of the toast; it’s like a party in your mouth.
Chocolate cake
A most excellent dish to serve on Halloween. The black colour of the chocolate cake contrasted against the orange of the icing, the cake will most definitely fit in with your Halloween decorations. Remember to drizzle the chocolate glaze on top so it oozes down the side.
Roasted pumpkin crostini
Grab your crusty loaf of bread and let’s whip up some crostini. Perfect for when you’re pushed for time, just roast some pumpkin and cube it, add some goat cheese and drizzle some balsamic glaze on top. Simple, quick and delicious!