Smashing pumpkins: not just for halloween

It is such a pity this is the one weekend of the year when pumpkins become popular because there’s more to these squashes than spooky décor.

New Zealand nurtured my indoctrination into the joys of pumpkins — my taste buds were tickled by the many delicious soups, curries, stews, pies, breads and other baked pumpkin surprises. Sweet and savoury dishes all tasted good, fed multitudes and confirmed my belief in all things pumpkin.

There is an eternal debate over the difference between a squash and a pumpkin, but there is no crime in interchanging the titles, unless of course you are complying with regulations for a show.Both are from the same family, but due to crossbreeding, there are so many varieties in existence that unique, distinguishing characteristics have been obscured. No matter what you say, however, you can expect a dispute with pumpkin purists.