WE are closing in on that time of year when young children are thinking of dressing up as ghosts, ghouls and witches, eating sweets – and, of course, carving up some pumpkins.

Yes, Halloween is almost upon us and children everywhere will be badgering parents to buy pumpkins and scoop out their insides to make scary jack-o-lanterns, in a variety of gruesome faces.

Lots of family homes will have big orange heads sitting outside, their toothy smiles staring out at everyone that walks past.

But don’t forget that, apart from being great fun, pumpkins are also a great food.

Packed full of potassium and Vitamin A, these orange giants (which are actually a fruit) can be bought in most supermarkets at this time of year.

However, if you want to cook and eat a pumpkin – rather than just cut faces in it – then head to your local Worcestershire farmers’ market.

Akiki Organics will be offering organic pumpkins at St Peter’s Garden Centre Harvest Food Festival today, so why not pop along to this great event and buy yourself a treat.

With about 30 stalls at the event, there will be something to delight everyone, including traditionallyreared meats, vegetables in abundance, seasonal fruits, homebaked goods and artisan cheeses.

There will be lots of speciality stalls too, with olives, marinated garlic, fudge, old-fashioned sweets and home-made preserves.

Pumpkins are big business in the US, so to get the best out of your orange giant, follow this American recipe for pumpkin soup:

RECIPE: PUMPKIN SOUP

Ingredients:

  • 750g pumpkin flesh, diced
  • 250g potatoes, diced
  • 2 medium onions, diced
  • 3 chicken or vegetable stock cubes
  • 750ml water
  • 250ml single cream
  • salt
  • pepper

Method:

1. Place all the ingredients, except the cream, into a large saucepan.

2. Bring to the boil, then simmer until the vegetables are tender.

3. Remove from heat, then blend until the mixture is smooth.

4. Add the cream and stir through (do not boil after the cream is added).

5. Add salt and pepper to taste.

6. Serve with crusty bread rolls.

Today’s farmers’ market is at St Peter’s Garden Centre, Worcester, from 9.30am until 2pm.

Next week’s markets are at Victoria Square, Droitwich, from 9am until 2pm on Saturday, November 1, and at Royal Worcester Porcelain, from 10am until 2pm on Sunday, November 2.

For more information about Worcestershire farmers’ markets, log on to www.wfmg.co.uk.