My sweet gourd: creative ways to make the most of pumpkins

I never know what to do with pumpkins besides carve them. Help! 

- ANNA BERRILL

As a key player in holidays such as Halloween and Thanksgiving, it's little wonder that pumpkins are so social, being at ease with a multitude of flavours (miso, spices, parmesan) and in dishes from curries to savoury crumbles. There are many varieties to get to know, too - creamy, nutty kabocha, say, or the richer potimarron (AKA onion squash or red kuri) - although they are often interchangeable.