Pumpkins in heaven

Yesterday I joined a couple of girls from the ballroom dancing class I've signed up for and their friends to go to an autumn pumpkin festival, held on a open grass area known as "Am Himmel" ("In the sky/heaven") high up among the vineyards on the Kahlenberg (previously mentioned here and here).

There was a spectacular array of pumpkins and squashes on show, variously recommended for eating, carving or decorative purposes (as below).

As well as the pumpkins for sale, related regional products including pumpkin seed oil, pumpkin seed pesto, apple-pumpkin jam etc etc were on offer. Other stalls ladled out hot spiced Sturm and pumpkin soup from large vats - very necessary as it was really quite cold.

A brass quartet played some traditional tunes.

For those who plan their presents well ahead, you can pre-order a pumpkin with a message:

The words are carved into the pumpkin early on. As it grows to full size, the cuts scar over leaving a slightly raised white inscription.

To continue the theme, C and I came home in the evening post-theatre to find that P had made a beautiful pumpkin lasagna! Himmlisch.