Havering Friends of the Earth

Green Halloween

by John Robinson; first published 18-Oct-2024

An early-season pumpkin harvest - John Robinson

Halloween originates from the Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the beginning of winter; its Gaelic and Welsh names still reflect this. Initially pagan, it was adopted by Christians (and banned by some other religions) before spreading to North America and turning into the secular indulgence - and major retail bonanza - that's now firmly established here in Britain. But it doesn't have to be all about buying lots of plastic stuff for one night, then throwing it away afterwards!

Let's focus in on the humble pumpkin. The name probably comes from the Greek pepon, meaning a large melon, and the custom of carving them to make jack-o-lanterns is another import from America - we used to use turnips! More importantly, the pumpkin is a lovely seasonal fruit containing vitamins A and C, and seeds rich in iron. If you fancy picking your own, there are several growers in Essex; a useful list is online at Mum's Guide to Romford.

Wherever you get your pumpkins, make sure they're suitable for eating, and be careful not to contaminate the insides when using marker pens on the skins. The scooped-out pulp is best frozen, unless you can use it within a day or two. There's a wealth of recipes for pumpkin soup, pies, curries and other goodies, which would be ideal for Bonfire Night. If possible, compost any unused remains - that's something you can't do with a plastic substitute, which would stay in the environment forever! And why not grow your own for Halloween 2025? Sow seeds in late spring, in a sheltered, sunny spot. Like so many of our foods, they depend on bees for pollination - you may need to hand-pollinate the flowers if conditions aren't right.

There are plenty of opportunities to re-use things for Halloween. Old clothes (especially black ones - the tattier the better!) are ideal for making costumes. Loose-woven fabrics, or netting from supermarket fruit and veg packs, can be turned into spider-webs. And remember to keep your stuff for next year, it all saves money, as well as the environment!

If you're having a party, please avoid single-use plates, cups etc - or at least use bio-degradable ones, not plastic. There are also many local events and crafting activities to visit during the half-term week: check out Myplace in Harold Hill, and Thames Chase Forest Centre. Enjoy your Green Halloween!