Baking with love – pumpkin, buttermilk and walnut teacakes
The best of the Autumn hues are fading now, the reds and golds giving way to the cool grey skies of early winter. Through the window falls a steady drizzle of rain and most of the trees are bereft of their leaves. I’ve really been enjoying the past few weeks – out with my camera [...]
The best of the Autumn hues are fading now, the reds and golds giving way to the cool grey skies of early winter. Through the window falls a steady drizzle of rain and most of the trees are bereft of their leaves. I’ve really been enjoying the past few weeks – out with my camera – and discovered some surprising colours like the delicate pinky purples in a vast bed of woodland cyclamen. As a family, we’ve spent time outside walking, cycling, picking apples, and celebrating with bonfires and pumpkins. But pumpkins are not just for carving and decorating are they? They make beautiful subjects for photography – and delicious eating too!
Pumpkin and winter squashes are particularly delicious roasted – it concentrates the sugars and intensifies the flavours. I like to use roasted pumpkin in lasagna, pasties, or Caribbean curries and rotis. I also love pumpkin in breads, muffins and cakes. Wonderful for Autumn walks and picnics.
My grandmother loves – adores – cakes, especially cakes rich with fruit and nuts. When I visit her, there is nothing I can bring that will delight her more than a home baked cake like this teacake. In fact, it was just for my lovely granny that I made this cake, and it’s twin. (The recipe makes two loaves.) Like many old folks (I can call her old, because she really is!) she doesn’t always have the appetite or energy to prepare a full meal, so a slice or two of a nourishing fruit and nut cake with a cup of tea is just right. She just rang me to say how much she is enjoying this teacake. And that makes me very happy.
Margaret: 8th November 2010
You photography as usual is amazing. You really capture the sweet sadness of autumn. Your last picture is my favourite – totally captures the mood.
I would love to have a slice of your lovely pumkin teacake with my coffee right now.
pascale: 8th November 2010
Thanks M!
Dominic Franks: 8th November 2010
I find pumpkin rather plain so I always roast it first as it really brings out the nutty goodness… lovely post and stunning stunning photos as always x
pascale: 8th November 2010
Thanks Dominic. I must say pumpkin and squash can really vary in their flavour and intensity. I think the pumpkin in the West Indies always seemed a bit sweeter. I try and look for smallish ones in England. Px
Blandine: 8th November 2010
Your pictures are beautiful! I love the flavours of autumn – your cake looks like the perfect treat to enjoy these delicious seasonal ingredients.
pascale: 8th November 2010
Thank you Blandine, I love Autumn too. It’s quickly disappearing now though!
Amy: 8th November 2010
Great post! I’m looking to make some changes in my own eating habits and learning to cook, so I appreciate your insight a lot! Thank you. I recently stumbled upon this blog like I did yours and I thought your readers may appreciate it: http://burisonthecouch.wordpress.com/2010/11/04/food-for-thought/
I’ve started to look for blog help more regularly and I think I’m going to add your blog to my list as well. Thanks for the post!
-Amy
Skyler: 8th November 2010
Pascale, I am (as always) blown over by the quality of your work, it is stunning. I have tried a couple of times to subscribe to your RSS feed but it is not working for me, and seems to be stuck back in July. If this is my technical illiteracy, then no matter, I will just manually check back from time to time. Best wishes.
pascale: 8th November 2010
Hi Skyler! I know, I am the technically challenged one! I have to get that fixed. Thanks so much for visiting and you lovely comment. I promise I’ll get the subscribe sorted as soon as I can.
Charlie: 8th November 2010
Hi Pascale
As ever, a beautiful post … I especially love the picture of the pumpkins and apples. You’ve shamed me into doing something with the pumpkins that have been sitting on my windowsill, untouched, for far too long!
xx
Choclette: 8th November 2010
I just spotted the pumpkin and apple photograph in your sidebar and had to come have a look as I love squashes – taste, colour, shape. So now waiting until next year’s harvest so I can make this most delicioius looking cake.
pascale: 8th November 2010
In the meantime, we’ve got lots of nice spring and summer stuff to cook/bake with! Yay! Thanks for visiting! P