Fabulous fruity feast

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

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

SERVES 4-6 | PREP 35 MINS PLUS CHILLING AND RESTING COOK 1 HR 5 MINS | EASY 1 tbsp olive oil1 large onion, finely chopped10g sage, leaves only, finely chopped2 tsp fennel seeds, crushed100g pistachios

A nut roast packed with umami, smokiness and sweetness from squash, lentil and dates. SERVES 6 | PREP 2 HRS PLUS RESTING | COOK 1 HR 15 MINS EASY 400g butternut squash, cut into 2cm cubes 3 tsp smoked

Ask me what I can’t live without at Christmas and the answer’s easy: meatballs. Here they’re dressed for the season with warming spices and soft buttery onions that make them extra comforting. SERVES

SERVES 2 PREP 5 mins COOK 25 mins EASY 20g walnut pieces1 tsp rapeseed oil2 slim leeks (about 170g), well washedand thinly sliced175g wholemeal penne2 garlic cloves, finely grated160g baby spinach40g