Fight the Food Waste Monster This Halloween! Creamy Pumpkin Soup.

Fight the Food Waste Monster This Halloween!

Halloween is a time for spooky fun, not scary amounts of food waste! Rutland County Council is calling on residents to help reduce the amount of leftover pumpkin and other treats ending up in black bins.   

Did you know that over 40% of waste in our black bins is actually food? That's a lot of perfectly good food going to waste!  Rutland County Council's "waste less, recycle more" campaign encourages residents to be mindful of food waste this Halloween.   

Pumpkins are a Halloween staple, but sadly, many end up uneaten. Love Food Hate Waste estimates that a whopping 12.8 million pumpkins bought for decoration go uneaten each year in the UK!  That's a scary amount of food waste!   

Don't Let Your Pumpkin Become a Monster!

There are many ways to dispose of your pumpkin responsibly and avoid adding to food waste:

Pumpkin Feast for Worms and Bugs: Cut your pumpkin into chunks and bury it 20 centimetres deep in your soil. It'll be a delicious treat for your garden critters!   

Compost Your Pumpkin: Chop your pumpkin into smaller pieces and add it to your compost bin or heap. This will turn your pumpkin into nutrient-rich compost for your plants.   

Spooktacular Bird Feeder: Turn your pumpkin into a spooky bird feeder! Just make sure it's far enough away from the ground to deter unwanted visitors.

Get Creative in the Kitchen!

Before you toss your pumpkin, consider using the flesh in delicious recipes. Pumpkin is a versatile ingredient that can be used in soups, pies, breads, and even pasta sauce! Love Food Hate Waste has a wealth of pumpkin recipes to inspire you: www.lovefoodhatewaste.com.   

Think Outside the Pumpkin Patch

If you're not a fan of pumpkin, consider using a different vegetable for decoration. Butternut squash is a great alternative – it's nutritious, affordable, and can be used in many recipes just like pumpkin.   

By following these simple tips, we can all help reduce food waste this Halloween and have a spooky, sustainable celebration!

Here is a recipe suggestion:

Creamy Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients

1 large pumpkin, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups vegetable broth

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions:

Roast the Pumpkin:

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

Toss pumpkin chunks with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet.

Roast for 30-40 minutes, or until tender.

Sauté the Aromatics:

In a large pot, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.

Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until softened and fragrant.

Combine and Simmer:

Add the roasted pumpkin, vegetable broth, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg to the pot.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the soup is smooth and creamy.

Blend:

Use an immersion blender or transfer the soup to a regular blender to blend until smooth.

Serve:

Pour the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.

Optional:

For a richer flavour, add a splash of maple syrup or a drizzle of honey.

For a heartier soup, add cooked sausage or bacon.

For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce.

Enjoy your homemade pumpkin soup!