Halloween Pumkin Lantern
I never understood the fuss about Halloween until I spent a Halloween in Silcon Valley. In Britain was are used to seeing a few houses decorated at Christmas. The road up from me is one where most houses are illuminated outside. That’s nothing though compared with the decoration I saw in Old Palo Alto. Whole streets were decorated and not just a string of lights but some quite lavish themes.
Trick or Treating was a big deal as well. I don’t go out in the evening but we did go out along California Avenue in the afternoon and most of the shops had something for children. The children were all in fancy dress. Even our dog was in costume.
Pumpkins are also amazingly plentiful. After we had made lanterns we ate pumpkin for several days. It was the first time I had eaten pumpkin pie and I surprised myself and enjoyed it. Pumpkin soup is my usual favourite. The very best I have ever had was in Malta and I must put a recipe up for maltese pumpkin soup. For now the best I can offer is a pumpkin ginger soup recipe.
By Kate Phizackerley