All of the Winter Squash and pumpkins have been harvested and I’m pretty pleased with what I have grown. The butternut squash were a huge success this year, lovely big fruits and plenty of them. This is what I have left to use and store after giving some away to other plot holders.

Every year I try to include Sweet Dumpling winter squash in my growing plans, apart from being adorable to look at they taste great! I like baking them whole, cut the top off and scoop out the seeds then replace the top as a lid and cook for 30 – 40 mins until the skin is browned and flesh soft. The taste is very similar to roast chestnuts.

I grew my favourite pumpkin variety in my garden at home, Rouge Vif D’Etampes. I harvested 6 lovely pumpkins and I’ve already made several pumpkin and raisin cakes. One of the pumpkins grew absolutely huge, it was a struggle to lift it for the photo below taken by my son, thankfully he grabbed it from me before I dropped it on my foot! This one will feed my chickens, they love pumpkins as much as I do.

Next year I plan to add a couple more varieties to the pumpkin and squash list, do you have a favourite?