We might not do Halloween like the Americans but it is certainly getting bigger here in the UK with many more decorating their homes and visiting pumpkin patches. Yet I expect many of us are not sure what we can do with the inside of the pumpkin rather than just scoop it out and throw it away, which is obviously not very frugal! Therefore I have teamed up with Aldi to rediscover pumpkins and how yummy, nutritious and tasty they can be especially in pumpkin spice muffins.
Aldi are encouraging us to ditch some of the sugar-laden treats that we may associate with Halloween and instead take the opportunity to get our children trying new vegetables including pumpkin and squash. Like most children, Erin loves helping me in the kitchen and I know that she will be more adventurous in what she eats if she has had a hand in either growing it or preparing it.
From soup, pizza, chilli and muffins Aldi has a range of recipes to help inspire you and the kids to use your leftover pumpkins in fun, delicious ways. Erin opted for the muffins this time but we are definitely going to try the soup this month too because we do like a hot soup with fresh bread on a Saturday lunchtime.
The muffins were surprisingly easy to make. We actually made double the amount the recipe said we would so I am assuming my cake cases were on the small side! The finished pumpkin spice muffin was really tasty and both Erin and teen enjoyed them. The teen was rather surprised as he would never pick up a pumpkin spice muffin if he saw it in a shop, it would be chocolate everytime. Yet these were full of flavour and tasted really good with the cinnamon and walnuts. It really is a great autumn twist on a muffin.
The pumpkin spice muffin makes for an ideal snack after school or in the lunchbox. It also means that you are using the whole pumpkin which is obviously much better than just carving.
Aldi also have some easy carving and health & safety tips to help you and your little one for when you move on to the decorating part of using the pumpkin.
- Sketch your design on paper first and trace your outline onto the pumpkin ready to carve
- Use a battery powered candle instead of a real candle
- Remember straight lines are easier to carve than curved line.
I would love to see your decorated pumpkins I’ll be sharing mine on Instagram so do make sure you are following me over there at Emma and 3.
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