Where can you pick up a pumpkin in Kent ?
Although likely to be sold in your local supermarket and greengrocers at this time of year , the frivolity of pumpkin picking is best enjoyed outdoors at one of Kent ’ s farms with fields dedicated to finding your perfect pumpkin . So pull on your wellies , grab a wheelbarrow and embrace the mud as you search out a pumpkin , squash or gourd best suited for your October needs !
Whether it ' s a perfectly spherical giant orange one , a warped and twisted shape or one that ’ s a non-traditional greeny , blueish colour ( apparently these are the tastiest !) you ’ re sure to find it right here in the Garden of England . Remember , if selecting a pumpkin to eat , choose one with a smooth , firm skin and keep in mind that smaller ones contain more flesh and are best for cooking .
Although you are sure to drive past many a pumpkin patch on your travels across the county and they are easy to find online , we have listed some of our favourite pumpkin patches here :
Pick Your Own Pumpkins - Cheesman ’ s Green Lane , Ashford , TN25 7HX
Pumpkin Moon - Sandling , Maidstone , ME14 3BE
Stanhill Farm - Birchwood Road , Dartford , Kent , DA2 7HD
Pick Your Own Pumpkins Canterbury - Hoath Fruit Farm , Bekesbourne Lane , CT3 4AB
Birchden Farm Pumpkins - Broadwater Forest Ln , Groombridge , Tunbridge Wells , TN3 9NR
PYO Pumpkins - Beluncle Farm , Stoke Rd , Hoo , Rochester , ME3 9LU
So whether you ’ re carving out a ghoulish face with the children or sipping on a pumpkin-spiced latte , remember the power of the pumpkin , just as rich in history as it is nutrients - a true autumnal treat and perfect for providing a happy Halloween !
insideKENT ’ S OLIVIA AT PICK YOUR OWN PUMPKINS CANTERBURY insideKENT ’ s Pumpkin Soup
Although pumpkin flesh can sometimes be difficult to extract , this soup is well worth the work ! Rich , creamy and full of unique flavour - you ’ ll be craving it all winter .
Ingredients :
• 2 onions , peeled and finely chopped
• 2 sticks of celery , finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves , peeled and finely chopped
• 600g - 1kg of pumpkin flesh roughly chopped
• 700ml of vegetable or chicken stock
• 150ml of double cream
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Handful of packet pumpkin seeds to garnish and chopped herbs
• Crusty bread and butter if preferred !
Method :
1 . Heat 2 tsp of oil or spray Fry Light in a large saucepan . Cook the two onions , garlic and celery for two to three minutes .
2 . Add all of your chopped pumpkin to the pan and carry on cooking for eight to 10 minutes , it will soften and turn golden .
3 . Add the stock , season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil until the pumpkin is very soft .
© Mads Eneqvist / Unsplash
4 . Pour all 150ml of double cream into the pan , bring back to the boil and pureé with a hand blender or liquidiser until smooth .
5 . Serve immediately , garnished with pumpkin seeds and chopped herbs .
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