To ask a potentially stupid question about pumpkins....

[sittingonacornflake]

So, went out for lunch at the weekend and had the most divine roster pumpkin risotto. I really want to have a go at making this myself.

Now, the stupid question - all these pumpkins popping up in the shops that we tend to carve..... are these yummy pumpkins for cooking with or is it best to steer clear of these and go for something different?

The skin of the pieces of pumpkin in my risotto was all different shades, like it had maybe come from some different varieties? If that's even a thing.

You can eat the "carving" type of pumpkin flesh Ditch the pips though) but it can be rather bland. If I make a soup I'd add some butternut squash or other type of squash vegetable.

The pumpkins in the shops at the moment, labelled for Halloween, are horrible for cooking/eating. They've been grown for size and ease of carving rather than taste and when cooked they tend to be watery and flavourless.

A proper greengrocers should have normal pumpkins available.

The carving ones are bland, ignore. Pumpkins are a squash, I think, so look for varieties in greengrocers - they will guide you which ones are sweeter.

Yes - you need a proper pumpkin. Definitely avoid the halloween ones.

Once you start looking there are dozens of different squashes available - all with more flavour than pumpkin ( which even at its best isn't terribly exciting). Try a Turban Squash or even a butternut.

Sainsbury’s sell a ‘cooking pumpkin’ I got mine for 8 pence and made gorgeous soup.

Try morrisons if there's one near you. The one near me has little assorted squash and have done for the last couple of years.

Have you a farm shop nearby? Usually the best place for pumpkins. Otherwise Waitrose often have a nice quality and a little variety.

Thanks for the tips! I'm passing a Morrison's tomorrow so will have a gander

Lidl also sell a Mish mash of different types of winter squashes. They are so cheap and are the ones I use for cooking.

You could substitute butternut squash.
The big Halloween pumpkins arent nice to eat at all.

Aldi have smaller 'for-eating' pumpkins and squashes on the veg aisle. About 60-90p if I remember correctly.