So I have heaved myself out of my incipient doldrums and tried to think of something nice about winter. And it being the time to hack into those poor pumpkins and give them scary faces, what came to mind were pumpkin soup, so cheery and warming, and another of my favourites, toasted pumpkin seeds.
Princess Bunchy has chopped away at Mr Pumpkin, and at my behest has given him a benignant face, and whilst she was doing the carving we gave her a bowl for the innards, in the spirit of waste not, want not, which prevails in our little cottage.
We took the seeds, cleared them of flesh, then spread them out on a baking tray. Sprinkle with olive oil and salt, then put into a hot oven for ten minutes or so - best to keep a close eye on them because the interval between crispy and burnt is a short one. They are done when they have browned and start crackling as the outer husk pops.
So that's a nice thrifty idea for a cheering winter snack, in the spirit of Mrs TH, who has a wonderful ability to conjure up goodies out of the orts and scraps of life. She sent me some of the most beautiful little lavender bags made out of vintage fabric - it was such a lovely package to receive in the post and I absolutely adore the willow pattern fabric.
If you go and visit Mrs Thrifty Household here, and Silverpebble here, you will find all sorts of Making Winter happiness - I am hoping that they can get me through January with a smile on my face.
I am also wondering if all the nice things in winter are edible - I have a horrible feeling that they are, and that is why when I emerge into spring I have a certain air of rotundity and all is straining at the seams.
24 comments:
Loving that pumpkin face :D
We did that last night..toasted the pumpkin seeds ...and they are delicious! I was utterly surprised at just how good they taste. :)
That is pumpkin carving of the most artistic and marvellous kind.
Your pumpkin seed roasting is exactly the kind of thrifty, tasty seasonal project that I need to convince me of the benefits of this new season. I do believe there are benefits, I have simply been blind to them, focussing on the disadvantages instead, in manner of a curly Eeyore.
I'm afraid to say that we have plans for January. Plans for a detailed and thorough tutorial on the making of a tarte tatin. Seams beware.
I'm so thrilled that you've joined in the crusade against winter gloom. Hurray!
Ah but winter rotundity keeps you nice & warm & adds an extra layer of comfort when sitting on the sofa!
Really glad you're joining in with 'Making Winter'. I love your thrifty toasted pumpkin seeds. I shall give them a go when we get back from our holiday...
Go for it Pomona! I'm in on this fabulous project too because I am one of the world's Winter Lovers... unless I am coldridden, of course!
mmmmm tasty
I think all the nicest things of winter ARE edible ... but not all contribute to rotundity. I ate the first grapefruit of the season the other day and felt happy and healthy all at once, which is a Rare Thing.
By what sign does the cheery chappie know that winter has begun? I refuse to acknowledge that season until December at least. But then our winter often lasts through March and into April, so perhaps refusing to recognize it is merely denial or an attempt to postpone the inevitable.
I love that willow fabric too, and the friendly jack o'lantern.
I don't do winter! I dislike it with a passion and get depressed. I have a friend who is always looking for the good things about winter. She loves the snow and skiing, I do not.
Now of course living in the southern hemisphere, we are heading toward summer which is such a joy to me. How I wish we had someone down here doing a project like Mrs Thrifty Household and Silverpebble this past winter.
I hope your pumpkin soup was delish.
Anne xx
I love Winter. We're carving pumpkins tomorrow. I've been told by youngest that he wants to keep 9 pumpkin seeds to plant next year. Not sure how he arrived at the number 9, but, hey, that does leave plenty for roasting!
Hee hee, cute pumpkin, and you're right, pumpkin innards are fab. I need to do some serious hunting for bulk freezable recipes before I tackle a pumpkin, as it's only me to cook for. I'm sure there's one for some yummy soup I saw recently though...
I'm going with the winter rotundity keeping me warm... ;o)
Love the willow pattern fabric!
Great to see a happy pumpkin. :)
Vivienne x
North American clocks don't go back until next Saturday. Australia went forward a week ago. I wish we could all get synchronized... I love toasted pumpkin seeds :)
cute pumpkin!
since we've moved somewhere colder i really dread the winter weather ;0
I don't mind gaining the hour, it's losing it in Spring that kills me. If you look at my latest post you will see some of the things I like to make. Have you ever made a diaper cake? It seems from my comments that they are not too well known...
Hope I can make a lot of things this winter!
Love that pumpkin face! The seeds sound divine.
Hate it when the clocks go back. It was dark at 5pm - groan .... roll on Spring! Or at the very least some bright white snowy winter weather - eeek!
Jeanne
x
Having just carved out our pumpkin for Hallowe'en I am now going to try roasting the seeds - what a super idea. Thank you for that.
dearest pomona...the changing seasons are one of the best parts of life! (having spent 4 years living in the tropics, i know what i am talking about!)
just wade right in and enjoy...winter, spring, summer and fall.
i look forward to reading about your 'making winter".
xo
Well done to Princess Bunchy with that pumpkin face. I do like a happy pumpkin! I have a feeling that you are right about all the good things of winter being of the tasty sort, there are far too many of them.
I hate Winter too, especially as it seems to be longer than any other season!
Two things I do like about it though are the food (can't be doing with salads) and being able to go for my daily walk without getting hot.
Wonderful pumpkin face, Pomona! I don't mind winter as I'm usually cosily working away in my studio these days...and when I go out I do love winter boots, coats, scarves etc so there is always an upside! (The necessary consumption of extra winter baking is not such a Good Thing, I agree!)
Helen x
Must try roasting some pumkin seeds next year...probably not too economical to buy another pumkin just for the seeds?!
I'm pretty sure most things are edible in the winter, at least that's what my body is telling me just now. Juliex
I'm going to look for a remaindered pumpkin tomorrow so I can toast the seeds!
Love the pumpkin and the toasted seeds look yummy! I must confess to loving winter though!
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