Every year when Halloween rolls around, you’ll see them: staring at you from outside front doors, leering at you in the grocery store, gawking at you from farm fields and Instagram feeds. I’m talking, of course, about pumpkins – because is there anything that screams Halloween more than a jack-o-lantern and a bit of pumpkin carving? (Besides candy. And trick or treating. And fancy dress.)
Unfortunately, a huge number of these carved orange gourds end up going to waste! As many as 22 million pumpkins are thrown away in the UK each year. But one London chef has spotted a new use for these potentially delicious thrown-away goods.
Chef Nima Safaei, the culinary force behind 40 Dean Street, 64 Old Compton Street and 27 Old Compton Street, has started a pumpkin amnesty initiative. He’s giving away free portions of handmade pumpkin ravioli for those who bring in their leftover Halloween pumpkins this week. In doing so, he’s giving the pumpkins a second life and saving them from the bin.
How to grab free pumpkin ravioli
The free pasta giveaway will take place at 27 Old Compton Street from November 3-5. Within those dates, the giveaway will last for as long as supplies last – aka, for as long as the pumpkins are being returned.
Plus, it couldn’t be easier. You literally don’t have to do anything more than bring in the pumpkin! Hand it over, and you’ll shortly be rewarded with a warming autumnal serving of the rich, buttery ravioli.
And, no, the pumpkin doesn’t need to be carved to claim the free pumpkin ravioli. They’re accepting carved and uncarved pumpkins as part of the giveaway.
So, before you pick up that pumpkin from outside your door and chuck it in the bin – why not treat yourself to a free dinner, instead?
📍 27 Old Compton Street, Soho, W1D 5JP. The nearest stations are Leicester Square and Tottenham Court Road.