PUMPKIN is a classic autumn vegetable. In America (where it originated) it’s a traditional part of the autumn harvest, eaten in soups, puree and the staple of Thanksgiving, the pumpkin pie.
While not as wildly popular as it is in the US, pumpkin is still an Aussie favourite, most often making its way into a Sunday roast, pumpkin soup or those classic Queensland scones made famous by Lady Flo.
Local farmers have begun their Autumn pumpkin harvest, and there is a good variety currently available at the New Brighton and Mullumbimby Farmers Markets including the popular jap, the butternut and the potkin – a smaller variety that tastes more like a blend of sweet potato and pumpkin. Also look out for the gramma pumpkin, traditionally used by Australian country cooks for the Aussie version of pumpkin pie, the gramma pie.
