Usher in autumn

As the feast of All Hallow’s Eve approaches, Debora Robertson advises how best to decorate your home with pumpkins, squashes and gourds–and even eat them, too

This impressive plan-ahead Christmas lunch from Flora Shedden is a mouthwatering mix of traditional recipes and deliciously unexpected flavours

■ Serves 4 ■ Prep 15 mins ■ Cook 2 hrs 1 large butternut squash, halvedlengthways and deseeded75g unsalted butter2 leeks, finely chopped2 garlic cloves, finely chopped50g soft white breadcrumbs250g co

SERVES 4-6 PREP 20 mins plus cooling COOK 50 mins EASY 1 medium pumpkin or butternutsquash2 tbsp olive or rapeseed oilpinch of Aleppo chilli flakes, plusextra to serve (optional)3 tbsp maple syrup100g

We’ve upped the flavour stakes on these by adding a simple seasoning that also brings a bit more crunch. SERVES 6-8 PREP 10 mins COOK 1 hr 30 mins EASY VE ❄ 2kg Maris Piper or King Edwardpotatoes6 tbs

A crowd-pleasing pie with a rich, buttery filling. Sage leaves are baked into the pastry while the beetroot adds vibrant colour. SERVES 8 PREP 30 mins plus40 mins chilling COOK 1 hr 30 mins MORE EFFOR