Top 10 Pumpkin Tips & Fall Recipes

Butternut Squash Soup and The Ultimate Grilled Cheese

Pumpkin picking season is almost here and whether you are getting a pumpkin from a local patch, farmers market or a grocery store you will want to pick a good one. We have a few tips that will help you choose your pumpkin, carve it and keep it lasting fresh throughout October.

Plus, cozy with some homemade butternut soup and a grilled cheese that is so yummy. We made both dishes on our Halloween mini series, Witch Crafts and we were blown away by the response from viewers. Visit witch crafts tv to view a quick video with the recipes and for more projects from the Fall Harvest episode of Witch Crafts visit witch crafts tv.com.

Butternut Squash, Carrot and Ginger Soup

Ingredients:
1/2 medium butternut squash
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 pound carrots, peeled and diced
3 cloves garlic, crushed
one 2" piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced or grated
4 cups water or chicken broth
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)
Immersion blender or countertop blender

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Scoop seeds out of the butternut squash half, and place cut side down onto a greased baking sheet. Bake until softened, about 30 to 40 minutes. Let it cool, then scoop the squash flesh from the skin with a large spoon and set it aside. Discard the skin.

Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, stirring until the onion turns translucent. Pour in the water or chicken broth, and add squash, carrots, and ginger. Bring the mixture to a boil, and cook for at 30-40 minutes, or until the carrots and ginger are tender.

Use an immersion blender or a counter-top model to puree the mixture. Boiling water can be added if necessary to thin the soup, but this is meant to be a thick creamy soup. Pour the soup back into the saucepan and heat thoroughly. Season with salt, pepper and cinnamon.

Ladle the soup into a tureen or serving bowls, and pour a thin swirl of cream over the top as a garnish, if desired.

The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Ingredients:

4 slices sourdough bread
1/2 cup basil pesto
4 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese (6-8, ¼" thick slices)
4 thin slices prosciutto
one large ripe tomato (roma or heirloom)
dash of sea salt
1/4 tsp. dried crushed or ground red pepper
1 Tbs. olive oil
2 Tbs. butter
large ovenproof skillet & lid

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly butter one side of each bread slice.

Place two bread slices, buttered side down, on the skillet surface. Top one with pesto. Top the other with two cheese slices, then two prosciutto slices. Sprinkle with salt and crushed red pepper.

Add three tomato slices atop the prosciutto, the flip the pesto slice on top, slice in half and serve.

Top 10 Pumpkin Tips

1. When choosing a pumpkin, look for ones that are very fresh and firm. Avoid pumpkins that are bruised or that have cuts. Pumpkins should have a flat base so they will sit up straight. Make sure the pumpkin you choose is large enough for the design you want to carve. The smoother the skin is on a pumpkin the easier it is to draw on and carve.

2. If you purchase your pumpkin early, you can store it in a cool dry place until you are ready to display or carve.

3. When cutting the top of the pumpkin, angle the point of your knife toward the stem. This gives the lid a place to sit and will prevent it from falling through the hole.

4. Using a large flat paddle scoop is the fastest way to clean the inside of the pumpkin.

5. When using templates or stencils, tape the stencil to the pumpkin and use a piercing tool to trace around the design. This will leave little perforated dots on the pumpkin and carving will be super easy.

6. If the cut edges of your jack-o'-lantern are curling, re-hydrate the pumpkin by soaking it in a tub of water overnight. After removing, allow the pumpkin to drain for half an hour and pat dry. Soaking your pumpkin in a solution of one-teaspoon bleach per gallon of water will help inhibit mold growth.

7. Hydrate your pumpkin! While your jack-o'-lantern is on display, periodically mist it with water to help keep it hydrated. Covering a jack-o'-lantern with a damp towel will keep it hydrated when it is not on display. At night, wrap your jack-o'-lanterns in plastic and refrigerate. This will slow the aging process.

8. After carving, coat the cut edges and the inside of the jack-o'-lantern with petroleum jelly. This will help seal in moisture. Vegetable oil can also be used. Spraying hairspray on the inside of your pumpkin will help increase its life span.

9. Sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg on the underside of the pumpkin top for a nice scent when the candle inside your jack-o'-lantern is lit.

10. Battery operated faux candles are a safe alternative to candles and can be found in a variety of sizes.