USHER IN AUTUMN

I’ve always been a fan of autumn. Not only is comfort food making a comeback, it’s also when outerwear can be worn without the worry of having to take it off 10 minutes later because the weather is indecisive. Pumpkins are at their best, and aren’t just good for carving. They work very well in a stew (see page 102) and a myriad other recipes – browse our collection at bbcgoodfood.com/pumpkin-recipes. While most of us think of the carving variety, there are over 150 types of pumpkin. So, if you have the option of buying something different, give it try. For example, the Marina di Chioggia is famed not only for its flavour, but also its striking looks.

We often think of the daffodil as the symbol of Wales, but the leek came thousands of years earlier – even Shakespeare called it an ancient tradition to wear