Waterloo farm says people can find purpose for pumpkins past peak season
A Waterloo, Ont. farm says people can find a purpose for pumpkins beyond Halloween by bringing the pumpkin patch to their plate.
Good Family Pumpkins says to think twice before taking the pumpkin off your front porch and bringing it to the trash.
"The orange ones are a little tougher and can tolerate a little more cold weather and frost," said Karen Good, the farm's co-owner.
Oct. 31 is considered the end of pumpkin season, but people can still find a tasty use for them.
"Making muffins or loaves or cakes or pies," said Good.
Roasting the seeds are also a great option, she says.
Good adds the key is bringing pumpkins that haven’t been carved or painted inside before it becomes too cold and they get soft.
Then people can dice or purée them, and store in the freezer.
"People want to stock up for the winter," Good says.
Pumpkins are used as a key ingredient in some winter meals that are sure to warm you up, she says.
"I've heard people make soup out of every kind of pumpkin we sell," Good said.
"And if you wanted it a little bit on the savoury side, what you can do is season it and just add it to soups and stews, which is absolutely delicious," said chef Emily Richards.
Richards also suggests cutting the pumpkin into larger chunks in order to sauté it in a skillet with oil, garlic and seasoning. Then add tomato sauce for a nice compliment to a main dish.
"We had it tossed with pasta or even just as a side dish with roast pork or beef," Richards said.
DON'T FORGET THE SQUASH
Squash is also a fan favourite at Good Family Pumpkins.
They have many varieties, which will be sold at their roadside stand well into November.
"The jester, the celebration or carnival squash, starry night," Good said, rhyming off some types of squash they have.
In many recipes, pumpkin is interchangeable with squash.
And it's a food the Good family encourages people to have a year-round relationship with.
"Every day, almost. Almost every day we eat squash," said Good, chuckling.
Click here to check out some of the pumpkin-related recipes chef Emily Richards developed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have burned in a wildfire.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Tourist suffers 3rd-degree burns to feet after losing flip flops amid soaring temperatures in Death Valley
A tourist was hospitalized after suffering serious burns on his feet on Saturday when he lost his flip flops at a U.S. national park where temperatures soared past 48 Celsius.
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
Former judge with disputed Cree heritage likely has Indigenous DNA: law society
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
Australian field hockey player opts to amputate part of his finger in order to compete in Paris Olympics
In the run up to the Paris Olympics, athletes have been stepping up their preparations in order to maintain their edge over competitors. But for Australia’s Matt Dawson, those preparations looked a little different this year, with the field hockey player opting to have part of his finger amputated in order to compete in the Games.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.