Halloween, the mysterious and spooky festival, has spread around the world, bringing people together in shared and unique celebrations. Read our blog to find out more about these traditions, and discover 3 Halloween recipes that you can try at home.
Halloween recipes : a feast for the tastebuds
One of the most exciting parts of Halloween is the unique culinary traditions of each country. From one corner of the globe to the other, special dishes and treats are prepared to honour the spirits, the dead or simply to create a magical atmosphere. Whether it's pumpkin pie in the United States, Barmbrack in Ireland or pumpkin soup in Australia, each country brings its own palette of flavours to Halloween. These traditional Halloween recipes add a rich cultural dimension to an evening already full of mystery and excitement, showing that food is truly a universal language that can unite the world in celebrating the extraordinary.
3 traditional recipes to try at home:
1. The USA: pumpkin pie
Pumpkin pie is one of the undisputed stars of Halloween festivities in the United States. This delicious sweet pie is infused with the sweet and spicy flavour of pumpkin, creating a warm, autumnal taste. It is a great traditional Halloween recipe for family gatherings and it's also a guaranteed crowd pleaser to share at those Halloween parties.
Ingredients (serves 6)
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500g diced pumpkin
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170g cane sugar
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14 cl single cream
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1 tsp ground ginger
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1 puff pastry sheet
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2 eggs
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1 tsp cinnamon
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1 pinch of nutmeg
Method
Step 1: Cook the pumpkin
Cook the pumpkin flesh in a pan of boiling water for around 15 minutes. Drain and purée. Set aside.
Step 2 : Pre-bake the pastry
Place the puff pastry in a pie dish. Prick the base with a fork and bake the pastry without filling for 10 minutes in a preheated oven at 170°C.
Step 3: Mix the ingredients
In a bowl, mix the pumpkin purée, eggs, sugar, cream and spices. Pour this mixture over the pre-baked tart base.
Step 4: Oven bake
Bake the pumpkin pie for about 1 hour at 150°C. When the filling has set, remove the pie from the oven and leave to cool before serving.
Top tip: this is also a great option for avoiding food waste if you have pumpkin leftover after a carving session!
2. Ireland: Barmbrack
Barmbrack, is a delicious sweet bread with dried fruits that's popular in Ireland during the Halloween period. It's not just about the flavour, there is a tradition associated with Barmbrack, using found objects to determine your fortune for the year ahead. Before baking, small symbolic objects such as a ring, coin, toothpick, or figurines are inserted into the dough. When the Barmbrack is cut up and shared with family and friends, everyone tries to find the mystery object in their share. The objects you find in your piece reveal a prediction or an omen: finding a ring means a forthcoming wedding, a coin predicts prosperity, a toothpick can mean a year of celibacy, and so on.
This tradition adds a dose of mystery and fun to the Halloween festivities, while creating a warm connection with Ireland's ancestral customs. In this way, Barmbrack is much more than just a fruity sweet bread, it becomes a link with the past and a fun way to celebrate the future. This is one Halloween recipe not to be missed!
Ingredients (serves 8)
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500g flour
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110g caster sugar
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80g dried fruits (cranberry, orange…whatever you like!)
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1 egg
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70g butter
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3 pinches of salt
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35cl milk
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30g baking yeast
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A pinch of nutmeg
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180g sultanas
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1/2 tsp cinnamon
Method
Step 1: Mix the ingredients
Pour the flour, salt and spices into a bowl. Soften the butter in the microwave and add to the mixture.
Step 2: Make the dough
In a bowl, mix the yeast with the slightly warmed milk. Leave to rest for 5 minutes, then add the sugar. Mix well. Pour this mixture into the bowl with the butter and flour. Knead the dough for a few minutes.
Step 3: Combine with the raisins and fruit
Add the raisins and candied fruit to your bowl. Knead the dough for another few minutes. Cover the bowl with a clean, slightly damp cloth and leave the dough to rest for 2 hours.
Step 4: Baking the bread
Place the dough in a lightly buttered cake tin. Bake in the oven for 1 hour (preheated to 200°C). Remove the Barmbrack from the oven, turn out onto a wire rack and leave to cool before eating.
Top tip: Don't forget to hide some small objects inside the pastry before baking!
3. Australia: Pumpkin soup
The traditional Australian Halloween pumpkin soup recipe is a unique and refreshing way to celebrate the holiday in the southern hemisphere. In Australia, where Halloween takes place in the spring, pumpkin soup is the festive option of choice. Australian pumpkin soup is made with chunks of pumpkin, other vegetables, spices and sometimes a drizzle of cream to make it even richer. It's served hot, warming hearts on outdoor Halloween evenings.
Ingredients (serves 4)
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1 pumpkin
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3 tomatoes
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4 cups of chicken stock (or if you prefer vegetarian meals, use a vegetable stock)
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3 carrots
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3 tbsp of cream
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3 pinches of salt
Method
Step 1: Dice the pumpkin
Remove the seeds and skin from a small pumpkin or a piece of large pumpkin, then cut into large chunks.
Step 2: Prepare the carrots
Peel the carrots and cut into large chunks.
Step 3: Cook the vegetables
Wash the tomatoes and put all the vegetables in a saucepan. Add the chicken stock and cook over a medium heat for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Blend all the ingredients
Add the cream and salt, then puree the soup in a food processor and your soup is ready!
Top tip: This soup can be easily reheated when you need it, so if you have a busy week it's a great meal prep option.
And if cooking isn't your cup of tea, try our delicious butternut and chestnut soup on the autumn Powermeals menu.
The importance of traditions
The different Halloween traditions around the world are a testament to the richness of this festival, which has spread globally, creating a variety of fascinating customs. Each country brings its own cultural touch, special cuisine and unique rituals to the celebration of Halloween. These traditions add a depth and dimension to the festival, which is rooted in the history, beliefs and folklore of each region.
These culinary and festive customs not only nourish the body, they also nourish the soul by creating a link with the past, honouring the dead, reviving ancient rituals and creating connections between generations. They remind us that the celebration of Halloween is much more than just a fancy dress party, it's an exploration of human culture, tradition and creativity.
Whether it's sharing a pumpkin pie in the United States, discovering the mysterious objects hidden in a Barmbrack in Ireland or enjoying pumpkin soup in Australia, these traditional recipes make every Halloween unique and unforgettable. They remind us that, despite our cultural differences, we can come together to celebrate the strange, the imaginative and the wonderful, while creating precious memories and moments of sharing. Beyond borders, Halloween invites us to explore the world through the eyes of others, and to appreciate the diversity of our planet, one bite at a time.
Want to discover dishes from the 4 corners of the world?
Powermeals offer tasty, nutritious meal delivery anywhere in Switzerland. The meals are inspired by recipes from around the world, all freshly cooked with seasonal ingredients.
Find all the recipes references on cuisineaz.
