Halloween, celebrated on 31 October, is widely assumed to be an American festival but it's actually an ancient Celtic pagan celebration. The term Halloween comes from All-hallow-even or All Hallows' Eve - the evening before All Hallows' Day, or All Saints' Day. The festival originated as a pagan ritual among the Celts in Ireland and Britain, who regarded 31 October as the last day of summer, November being associated with the death and slaughter of animals that provided meat for winter. In the old Norse religion, sacrifices were made to the elves, and food was blessed and stored for winter. Irish and Scottish immigrants carried Halloween festivities to America in the 19th century. Halloween traditions
Halloween is believed by some to be a day on which boundaries between the dead and the living become blurred, and the world of magic and supernatural touches the mortal world. As part of the tradition, bonfires and fireworks were lit to ward off evil spirits.  Versions of Halloween are celebrated all over the world. In parts of Latin America and Asia they coincide with local 'day of the dead' festivities. The festival caught the British public's imagination in the 1980s, primarily due to the influence of American pop culture. In the US, children dress up as ghosts, ghouls, witches, goblins and zombies on Halloween night and go from door to door crying 'trick or treat', collecting bags of sweets, fruits and nuts. Halloween pumpkinsOne of the recurring Halloween motifs is snaggle-toothed carved pumpkins with smiley or scary faces, spookily lit with a candle from inside, known as jack-o'-lanterns. In the US, these were symbolic of harvest festivities that pre-date Halloween, as were carved turnips and swedes in Ireland and Scotland, and carved beetroot in England.
 Pumpkin designs and carving instruments have recently become sophisticated and imaginative, often depicting celebrities, politicians and cartoon characters. Pumpkin carving competitions and festivals are widely held in the US, often in aid of charity. Flesh from large carved pumpkins is not always eaten as it can be insipid and watery, but smaller, sweeter varieties should be used in cooking. Pumpkin is particularly good for making soup, bread or pie and roasted pumpkin seeds are delicious. Traditional Halloween foodIn Ireland, Halloween was once a day of abstinence when no meat was eaten. Dishes based on potatoes were eaten, such as colcannon (mash with milk or cream, kale, and leeks or spring onions), champ (mash with milk and onions or chives) and boxty pancakes - fried potato cakes that are sometimes served savoury, sometimes sprinkled with sugar. Other dishes include potato farls baked on a griddle; apple and potato 'fadge' - upside-down cake made by layering apples and potatoes inside pastry; and barm brack, a spiced bread made with dried fruit.
 In England there was a tradition of eating 'soul cakes' 
In England there was a tradition of eating 'soul cakes' - flat round or oval cakes flavoured with saffron, mixed spices, and currants - as well as apple tarts. Many of these Irish and English dishes contained coins, rings and other items with symbolic meanings. They were left out for wandering spirits and fairies overnight. Contemporary Halloween foodToffee apples (called candy apples in the US) are enormously popular children's treats at this time of year. Variations include apples coated with caramel or chocolate. Roasted or barbecued corn-on-the-cob and popcorn are also eaten. In the US, candy corn - sweetcorn-shaped sweets made from honey, sugar fondant and corn syrup - is consumed in large quantities. Novelty confectionery, decorated in festive shapes and designs such as skulls and worms, is also popular with children.
 Since the beginning of the 20th century, parties featuring 'scary' foods coloured black, purple or red, have been a hit with the young and the young at heart. Dishes are often given names like 'witches cauldron' (red pepper and tomato soup), and 'fried brain' (walnut halves sautéed in paprika). Sandwiches are cut into spooky shapes like witches' hats and eyeballs, and drinks may contain 'squashed bugs' (actually flattened raisins or grapes).
If you're having a Halloween party, get into the spirit with spooky invitation cards and haunting music and décor. Set the table with ghoulish tableware, jack-o'-lanterns, corn-on-the-cobs, and autumn leaves and flowers. RecipesHere we've put together a menu that will frighten and delight kids at the same time, as well as a few recipe ideas for grown-ups to enjoy. Children's party menu
Seasonal treats
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