Autumn is nearly upon us, and even if it's not quite as cold here as elsewhere, it's still pumpkin season! Whether you're carving spooky shapes or not, here's what to do with this versatile veg...

Easy pumpkin pie

Pumpkin pie is a traditional autumn dish but not everybody has time to bake one from scratch. This cheat’s recipe will have you enjoying a delicious pie in no time! Simply take one pre-made pie base, one can of pumpkin purée, two large eggs, 100g of brown sugar, 150ml of evaporated milk and a teaspoon or two of seasoning powder - we like cinnamon, ginger and clove. Mix the pumpkin purée with all the other filling ingredients, and fill the pie base with the mixture. Bake at 170℃ for 50-60 minutes or until the filling is set. Leave to cool and serve with whipped or spray cream on top.

Spicy pumpkin dip

Wow guests with this interesting, unusual dip! It’s super-easy to make, especially if you use readymade canned pumpkin purée. Fry two small onions with a clove of chopped garlic and a teaspoon or two of curry powder according to taste and preference. Blend roughly with a hand blender, then mix with the pumpkin purée. Add a few tablespoons of coconut milk depending on how rich you’d like it, and serve wit

Pumpkin masala

Perfect served warm as a hearty starter or cold as one of a selection of salads, pumpkin masala is an easy and tasty dish to make. Simply chop up a pumpkin - small, medium or large, depending on how many you’re feeding - and gently parboil until it’s becoming slightly soft. In a pan, gently heat a little cooking oil and add a handful of chopped onions, a finely chopped garlic clove and a teaspoon or two of masala powder according to taste. When the pan and spice mix is hot, add the pumpkin and fry for a few minutes until the edges of the pumpkin have browned. Remove from the heat and serve garnished with a sprig or two of parsley.