snarfling out of the cat box and other Halloween treats

Ok Halloween proper fast approaches (even though some of us have been celebrating for about a month!! Perhaps we just want a chance to wear our finery?- Like I need an excuse; “oh goodness we’re going to the supermarket, just wait till I put on my new frock and some more hair, maybe a little more make-up!”)
Now if you haven’t made them yet, now is the time to organize your jack-o-lanterns and ‘Kitty Litter Chocolate box”.
The kitty litter Chocolate box was a big hit at the ghoulie grotto for our Halloween celebrations. You’re going to need a cat litter try or similar plastic type container (super cheap from your local discount place. A foil baking tray would look great too. If you want to be fancy and as obvious as possible you can print out “Cat Litter” signs for the sides and maybe some little kitty cats- just to re-enforce the message.
Then you need to lay down a deep layer of breakfast cereal- I used puffed rice, but some sort of flakes, bran or Nutrigrain would look just as good.
Finally add your chocolate- little mini bars look great so do those little “chocette” bits.
Now the idea is not to serve any other chocolate so that your guests have to dig for it- accessories with a slotted spoon or pooper scooper.
Final note: use new bought containers and scooper/spoon. Treats for your guests are fun, but a Halloween dose of Salmonella is more chilling than thrilling..

Here in Australia it is generally hard to get good carving pumpkins, like those fabulous golden ones you get in the United States. Chances are you are only going to tackle the *Queensland Blue Jackolantern once. Even boiling doesn’t seem to make the carving task any easier.
So unless you plan to spray-paint your “jacks” (which looks pretty neat, even better in un-natural colors, bright blue, pink, neon’s!), here are some more manageable carving choices.
Melons- so easy even children could do this with a little help. Watermelons look good with a little pink flesh left on the skin inside to add a pink glow; Ditto for Dew Melons for that green alien glow.
Butternut pumpkins.-These are the long, slightly pear shaped pumpkins. You can cut them down a little which is quite good since the narrow tops contain most of the flesh and the bulbous part is a little hollower with the seeds.
Miniature Pumpkins such as “Sweet mischief”, (these are the cutest and perfect for Tea light candles). Trawl your local quality Green grocer and your better supermarkets and markets.
Finally a super easy alternative- Oranges! You can also scoop out the flesh through a small opening in the top and then fill with jelly crystals and hot water which you let set before carving out your face.

So get carving!


*Queensland Blue is a variety of pumpkin widely available here with a fabulous shape and attractive grey/blue skin. But it is extremely hard and the skin is extremely thick.