Don't let your pumpkin go to waste - children's Halloween events in libraries across Devon

Families looking for Halloween fun this October half term can try their hand at pumpkin carving - and eating – at a series of five family events across Devon. 

Once you’ve carved your pumpkin, learn how to use the seeds and flesh to make a delicious soup and muffins, and take home a free recipe book by Hubbub. 

The sessions will be led by two specialist session leaders, including The Crafty Cook CIC, who deliver cookery and nutrition courses in Devon. 

This Halloween, 30.4 million pumpkins will be bought for carving and, of these, a whopping 15.8 million pumpkins will go to waste, left uneaten. That’s £26.7 million worth of edible food! (Hubbub, 2023)  

Studies have found that 3 in 5 people (60%) know you can eat your carving pumpkin, but only 1 in 9 of us always do. (Hubbub, 2023) 

In true Halloween style, the guts, skin and innards of carved pumpkins can be put to good use to create tasty soups, stews, curries and much more.  

The pumpkin cooking and carving sessions are free but bookable via Eventbrite with a small deposit of £5 to hold your place that will be returned at the session itself https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/food-rescue-8085945159.  

Sessions are for children aged 8+ along with an adult, and will be held at the following venues from 10am-12pm: 

21st October – Tiverton Library 

23rd October – Seaton Library 

25th October – Crediton Library 

27th October – Tavistock Library 

28th October – Exeter Library 

Participating libraries also host a Community Fridge, where donated surplus food from supermarkets and other food providers is available for the public to take free of charge to avoid it going to waste. 

Councillor Roger Croad, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities and Equality, who has responsibility for Waste Services and Libraries, said; “This is the perfect opportunity for families to get into the Halloween spirit while also making the most of their pumpkins. Pumpkins aren’t just for decoration – they are packed with vitamins and nutrients to boost our immune system and can be used to make healthy, filling and budget friendly meals. It takes a lot of energy and water to grow and transport pumpkins so let’s make the most of them.”   

If you’d like to try different pumpkin recipes but can’t make any sessions, take a look at Hubbub’s ‘Eat Your Pumpkin’ recipe book, which features a selection of mouth watering recipes such as pumpkin and feta rolls, pumpkin and coconut cake, Thai pumpkin soup and pumpkin seed pesto. 

Once Halloween is over, don’t forget to compost your pumpkin at home or recycle it in your food waste collection bin (in participating areas only). You can check to see if your council provides a food waste collection service here. 

For more information about reducing food waste and saving money, visit recycledevon.org.uk.