Halloween is nearly upon us and the shops are practically throwing pumpkins at innocent passers by. Really it would be rude not to buy a pumpkin just now. Come on you just have to be able to use the damn thing in some way or another.
Today is a BBC Radio day and I am off to talk about this quest to make more use of the pumpkin. Let us not be content with merely scratching the surface of this veggie, or even for going for all out Michael Angeloesque carving.
Pumpkin pie notwithsatanding there are other uses for this magestic orange vegetable. Full of phyronutrients, rich in vitamin E, betacarotene, zinc and lutein, pumpkins are hugely beneficial to the skin. Last year I talked about making a face mask and a body scrub. This year why not try this lovely soothing Body Balm made from the omnipresent pumpkin.
PUMPKIN BODY BALM
4 tablespoons pumpkin puree
4 tablespoons canned coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
First you will have to attack the pumpkin to make the puree. At least try carving something on to the thing first, even if only a smiley grin and two dot eyes, it will let you feel all artistic and get that out of your system for the day. Now you’ve taken off the beret, put away the eisle and wiped down the walls of oil paint and all your artistic leanings we can get on with the task of chopping the thing up.
Yes it must be done. I have found the best way to peel a pumpkin is to chiop it into small chunks and then simply choop the peel side off. I find this so much easier than trying to deal with large pieces of the thing.
Once you have your peel less chunks simply blitz in food processor to form a puree. If you are killing a whole pumpkin you’ll have lots of this so save some for the soup I’ll be making tomorrow.
Mix the pumpkin puree with the coconut milk and cinnamon. Now in a nice private bathroom spread this lovely goo all over yourself and stand about feeling ever so slightly foolish for 10 minutes while nature does her business. This is a really soothing and warming body balm and will make your skin feel totally pampered. After your 10 minutes step into the shower and using warm water wash off all the goo. Gently pat dry with a towel and marvel at your super soft skin.
Karon x
Like the pumpkin carving!