Ever wondered where those perfectly-shaped, bright orange pumpkins come from? Spinneys.com and Al Ain-based producer Elite Argo have all the answers.
Halloween is around the corner, which means pumpkin season is upon us. With many of us focusing on buying local whenever possible, nothing beats the fact that this season’s spooky squashes at Spinneys have been grown and sourced for you from just down the road. Elite Agro is one of the leading vegetable producers in the UAE, harvesting tomatoes, aubergines, bell peppers and of course, pumpkins. Based in Al Ain, the company is known for its European-standard farming methods, advanced technology and environmentally friendly approach.
Spiced pumpkin bundt cake with caramel buttercream
But it’s those juicy, orange pumpkins we are most interested in this holiday season. They were planted in giant greenhouses earlier this year, in July, and are being hand-picked right now for our pumpkin pies and Jack-o-Lantern carving fun. Farm manager Joseph Makhlouf and key account manager for Spinneys Genevieve Silveira put their heads together to answer a few questions ahead of Halloween.
What makes the perfect carving pumpkin? Do you have some top tips for Spinneys customers looking to make a Jack-O-Lantern this year?
As soon as you cut a perishable food item it will start to decompose, so if you want it for Halloween, make sure you carve it just two or three days before the big day. Use anything sharp to cut into your pumpkin, but sturdy spoons are usually quite good for taking out the pulp. Salad serving scoops or spoons also have a pretty good reach, especially if your pumpkin is a big one.
What types of pumpkin do you grow at Elite Agro?
We grow all sorts of things at our farm but for Halloween we are really concentrating on large, orange pumpkins with that nice ribbed shape. These are the best for carving and look great on any spooky doorstep. The taste is great too so pumpkin soup is always possible.
How long do pumpkins take to grow?
In general it take 85-90 days from pumpkin seed to picking, but this is also extremely variable and can depend a lot on the climate conditions.
Any secrets you can offer when cooking with pumpkin?
We want our customers to experience the great flavour of pumpkins so our advice is to eat them as naturally as possible. Try not to use too many spices.
What are the health benefits of pumpkins and how do you ensure they are still there before the customer buys one?
They are rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, copper, manganese, Vitamin B2, Vitamin E and iron, so they are very good for you. And the best bit is that uncut pumpkins can be stored for months, if kept in the right conditions.
