Roast a whole pumpkin until tender. Slice off the top to use later as a lid and scoop out most of the flesh leaving some of the flesh behind. Throw away seeds. Puree pumpkin flesh with two large, cooked potatoes, one cup of cream and chicken stock until you have a good soup consistency. Heat this mixture and pour back into the pumpkin to serve. Add a little sour cream and some sprinkled chives if you wish. Put the lid back on to serve. This dish can also be made using Golden Nugget Pumpkins as individual bowls.

Other Ideas in Brief

• Beetroot – Roasted Beetroot, pickled Beetroot
• Lettuce – Warm Chicken Salad with mixed lettuce
• Onions – Caramelized Onion Tarts
• Potatoes – Potato and Leek Soup, deep-fried potato skins
• Silver Beet – Stir Fry, colourful varieties

Ingredients

• 3 cups self-raising flour
• cream
• diced bacon
• large bunch parsley
• grated tasty cheese
• sundried tomatoes (packed in oil)

Method

In a bowl, combine flour with sufficient cream to make a dough. Dice tomatoes and chop parsley and add along with small handful bacon and cheese. Do not over mix. Lightly flour work area and pat out the dough until it is about 3cm thick. Dip a glass in flour and use this to cut out the scones. Re-dip glass after each scone to prevent sticking. Place scones on greased baking tray and bake at 200 degrees C for about 15 minutes. Serve buttered warm and garnished with a sprig of parsley. Any parsley left over can be finely chopped and frozen in ice cube trays for later use.

Parsley

Growing requirements etc. Great for pots or use as an edging plant in your flower bed for something a little bit different. There are two types, Italian which has a flatter leaf and excellent flavour and Curly, which is more decorative but not quite as flavoursome. Both are full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Ingredients

• 500g premium mince
• 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
• 1 large onion
• 1 375g tin Australian tomatoes or fresh equivalent peeled with and seeds removed
• 1 bunch fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• freshly-ground black pepper.

Method

Lightly brown onion and garlic in large frying pan. Add mince, breaking it up as it browns. Add tomato paste and tinned tomatoes. Finely chop basil and add to sauce with pepper to taste. Simmer for 15 minutes and serve with spaghetti and parmesan cheese. Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil.

Basil

Growing requirements etc. Great for pots with Grow Master Potting Mix. Companion plant with tomatoes to repel pests. Keep removing flowers to prolong season and keep the plant bushy. As for medicinal attributes, it is said to be good for nausea.

Ingredients

• Fresh basil
• Garden tomatoes (Roma are the best)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Thick slices of crusty bread

Method

Toast one side of the bread under the grill. On the untoasted side of bread, place thick slices of tomato. Roughly chop basil and sprinkle on top of tomatoes. Lightly sprinkle with olive oil and put under grill until hot. Cut slices in half, garnish with a fresh sprig of basil and serve immediately. Makes a good starter before the following recipe.