Save money at Halloween with a pumpkin soup

Halloween celebrations can cost money, from sweets for trick-or-treaters to decorations and costumes for the kids. And then there’s a pumpkin that needs carving.

But a pumpkin is much more than a disposable Halloween decoration.

If you want to avoid waste and make the money you’re spending go a bit further, then why not turn it into a delicious, warming soup?

What you'll need

• about 500g of pumpkin flesh (chopped)
• one onion
• a vegetable stock cube
• a tablespoon of cooking oil
• about 750ml water

How to make it

1.  Remove the seeds from your pumpkin and then chop the flesh into chunks. 
2.  Chop the onion and gently fry it in a pan with cooking oil for a few minutes.
3.  Add the pumpkin chunks to the pan, along with the stringy bits and a crumbled vegetable stock cube.
4.  Pour in the water and make sure the pumpkin is mostly covered.
5.  Bring the boil, before turning down the heat and letting it simmer for about 20 minutes.
6.  Once the pumpkin is tender, transfer everything to a blender or use a hand blender and blitz it all together. If it’s a bit too thick, add a little extra water.

And that's it! 

Serve with a slice of bread or some toast and you’ve got a healthy, filling and cheap lunch.

Make it your own

One of the best things about making your own soup is that it’s really flexible.

For instance, if you like a bit of spice, then you can just add a bit of curry powder.

And if someone else prefers it mild, then they can have it without any extra seasoning.

Or if you like a creamy soup, just stir in a dollop of natural yoghurt before serving.

Pumpkin soup is also a great option if you have other odds and ends hanging around in the fridge or cupboard, such as a leftover carrot or potato that might be destined for the bin.

Just use what you’ve got in, throw it in the pan and you can make it exactly how you like it.

Can I freeze pumpkin soup?

Yes, pumpkin soup freezes really well.

So if you’ve got a large pumpkin, just make a bigger batch of soup and freeze individual portions.

You can then get it out of the freezer and reheat it on those busy days when you need a quick lunch.

Who knew that one simple Halloween decoration could go so far?