Picking the Perfect Pumpkin

Nothing is more Autumny than a pumpkin patch. In previous years, during the run up to Halloween, I've dashed last-minute into the local London Sainsbury's and grabbed a couple of the last few pumpkins left on the shelf (normally the mottled and lopsided variety).

This year however, I had the luxury of being in the countryside for October, and mum and I visited Hill Farm in Chesterton. It's a delightful pick-your-own produce and farm shop, set in rural English countryside on top of a hill, boasting a gorgeous view and pumpkins as far as the eye can see.

We found more types of pumpkins, squash and gourds than you can ever imagine possible. From brilliantly fiery scarlet ones to bleached 'ghost' pumpkins to teeny tiny 'little gem' varieties. I traipsed up and down the rows with other dedicated pumpkin pickers, searching for the best ones.

With so many to choose from, as you can imagine, it took some time! I was mostly drawn to enormous, spherical, crimson ones, but mum more sensibly suggested we selected more traditional varieties to carve on Halloween with my little niece.

Once you have selected your perfect pumpkins, Hill Farm provides wheelbarrows and secateurs so you can easily take your prizes home.

Pumpkins are surprisingly dense and heavy, so it's hard work carting them around. No rest for the wicked eh!

Stocked up with plenty of pumpkins we headed for the exit, but on the way out, I couldn't resist grabbing a few little munchkins to add to our barrow. So sweet! We are going to attempt roasting them whole with some chilli oil, I will let you know how well it goes.

In the second photo I am either holding a tiny pumpkin, or photobombing Jack the Pumpkin King...I will leave you to decide which.

The lovely lady who owns the farm also suggested we buy some delightfully quirky 'Turk's Head' squashes to hollow out and fill with a hearty beef stew, so tempting, but on this occasion we decided we had more than enough.

Hill Farm also run a bird of prey and wildlife rescue centre and take in unwanted or disabled captive birds of prey and rehabilitate injured wildlife, so I had the pleasure of meeting this handsome chap.

With the car boot brimming with pumpkins, we decided to head for home....

...for roasted butternut squash soup. I like to serve mine with salty bacon bits and gruyere crisps. A thoroughly satisfying end to our pumpkin picking endeavours.