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34 Phonebox Magazine | October 2025Halloween will be upon us later this month. And as the nights draw in, the clocks go back and the evenings become cooler and chillier, we all need some tasty food and refreshing drink ideas to help us through the ghastly night...Hallow there!Along with the traditional %u2018Trick or Treat%u2019 night, a gathering with friends and family or a full-on spooky house party, there%u2019s always room for some spooky fun Halloween food and drink.The Trick or Treat tradition began hundreds of years ago in medieval times, when families would knock on neighbours' doors off ering a prayer or a song in exchange for some food. This was also known as Souling, and it took place on All Saints' Day when Christians would traditionally pray for their loved ones.Approaching the Victorian era, the food often given was a type of pastry called a soul cake. But it was only as time moved on and the annual Halloween night became even more popular that sweets and chocolates were used by homeowners not wishing to have a 'trick' done on them.%u00a0Today, special sweets and goodies are mass-produced, along with an array of fun, spooky costumes to give the whole evening a creepier feel. But it can also be a time to get together with family and friends to enjoy some food and drinks together.Pumpkin pie, toff ee apples, roasted nuts and popcorn are among the fi rst things that spring to mind when it comes to 31st October's Halloween snacks and treats. Loved by all the family, they're great fun and tasty too.. %u2022 %u2018Halloween%u2019 comes from %u2018All Hallows' Eve%u2019, the night before All Saints' Day%u2022 It%u2019s on the same day, 31st October, all over the world%u2022 In Mexico it%u2019s called the %u2018Day of the Dead%u2019%u2022 A celebration of some sort goes back more than 2000 years%u2022 Black and orange, used in Halloween costumes, signifi es dark and autumn%u2022 It%u2019s good luck to fi nd a spider on Halloween%u2022 Pumpkins are not vegetables, they%u2019re fruits%u2022 Jack O%u2019 Lanterns were originally turnips%u2022 Black cats were thought to have special powers%u2022 Bonfi res were lit to ward off spiritsHalloween fun factsPumpkin and sausage pastaIngredients:%u2022 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon%u2022 1 pound sweet Italian sausage%u2022 4 cloves garlic, cracked and chopped%u2022 1 medium onion, fi nely chopped%u2022 1 bay leaf, fresh or dried%u2022 4 to 6 sprigs sage leaves, cut into thin strips, about 2 tablespoons%u2022 10 ounces dry white wine%u2022 10 ounces chicken stock%u2022 10 ounces canned pumpkin%u2022 5 ounces (3 turns around the pan) double cream%u2022 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon%u2022 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, ground or freshly grated%u2022 salt and black pepper%u2022 1 pound penne pasta, cooked to al dente%u2022 Parmesan cheese, for grating%u2022 whole grain bread, as an accompanimentMethod:1. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. 2. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and brown the sausage. Transfer the sausage to a paper towel on a plate. 3. Drain fat from the skillet and return the pan to the stove. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil, and then the garlic and onion. 4. Saut%u00e9 3 to 5 minutes until the onions are tender. Add bay leaf, sage and wine to the pan. Reduce wine by half. Add stock and pumpkin and stir to combine, mixing the sauce until it comes to the boil. 5. Return sausage to pan, reduce heat, and stir in cream. Season the sauce with the cinnamon and nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer mixture for 5-10 minutes to thicken the sauce.6. Return drained pasta to the pot you cooked it in. Remove the bay leaf from sauce and pour over pasta. Combine sauce and pasta and toss over low heat for 1 minute. 7. Garnish the pasta with shaved cheese and sage leaves.