Forget orange pumpkins – M&S’ ghost squash is the spooky star of Halloween

Halloween is fast approaching on October 31, so whether you’re planning a weekend trip to a PYO pumpkin patch or sourcing your squash straight from the supermarket, we're seeing plenty of creative colours, shapes and sizes this year to choose from. M&S has just released some spectacularly spooky varieties and there's one in particular that's caught my eye...

Why not browse our collection of pumpkin recipes while deciding on your squash of choice – from creamy soups to warming risottos, pastas and desserts, we've got plenty of inspiration for the cosy season. You can also follow our easy guides for how to carve a pumpkin and get more creative with our pumpkin decorating ideas.

Meet the Ghost Pumpkin

At around 4kg, M&S’s Ghost Pumpkin is substantially sized, with a pale white shell that looks brilliantly eerie beside traditional orange varieties. It would make a striking doorstep decoration, especially grouped with autumn leaves, lanterns and a few smaller pumpkins.

I love the idea of keeping the outside simple and dramatic, perhaps with a painted black face (I'm thinking Casper the friendly ghost) rather than carving it. The contrast would give it a gothic character and will be a little less messy if you want your pumpkin to last beyond Halloween. M&S says it can also be eaten, although you may want to choose a smaller variety if you’re planning to cook with it.

The other pumpkins giving ghoulish energy

For something more colourful, the charmingly named Cutie Pumpkin has yellow skin marked with bright orange stripes. At 400g it’s compact enough for a table centrepiece, mantelpiece or windowsill, while its cheerful colouring makes it feel more autumnal than frightening.

Even more cute, in my opinion, is The Munchkin Pumpkin. This miniature flat squash has a sweet, chestnut-like flavour and can be roasted whole or sliced with olive oil and spices, so it’s not just decorative. I’d serve one alongside a roast or use it as a tiny individual bowl for soup.

I also have a soft spot for the Warty Goblin Pumpkin. Its lumpy, textured skin gives it a magical witchy quality and I can practically picture it bubbling away in a Halloween display. It has a mildly sweet flavour which is suitable for soups, risottos or roasting, although it's worth flagging that this variety is currently listed as available only in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The Mixed Squash selection adds even more visual interest, including a stripy, zebra-like pumpkin. Its unusual markings would look brilliant as a stuffed centrepiece, or the subtly sweet flesh can be used in soups or side dishes.

Classic pumpkins are also still available

If you prefer a traditional carving pumpkin, M&S also has Wicked Medium and Spooky Large varieties. Both are suitable for carving or painting, with flesh that can be turned into soup, curry, pie or a warm autumn salad. The Eerily Edible Pumpkin has a creamy texture and sweet earthy flavour, making it particularly useful in the kitchen.

Not found your perfect pumpkin? We've seen plenty more weird and wonderful varieties landing in other supermarkets, including Sainsbury's, Lidl, Asda, Waitrose, Morrisons and Tesco. From more mini munchkins to ghostly pumpkins, this season's spooky squash range proves that orange no longer has to be your only option.

Get more ideas for what to do with your pumpkin...

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