Potsdam, Pumpkins and Autumn Leaves

Before I continue with stories of my previous travels, I want to update you on where I am right now because it is such a beautiful, special time. I don't want to miss out on sharing it with you, right this moment.

It's the nearing the end of autumn and all the leaves are shades of yellow, orange and red. Each day, the trees are getting barer and barer - reminding me how close we are coming to winter.

I don't know what it is about living in Berlin, but I feel a real sense of seasonality in the produce - moreso than I ever did at home. Maybe it's because I shop at farmers markets now versus supermarkets. Or all the autumn themed decorations in the shops. Or having pumpkins around at Halloween time (exciting as an Aussie!). Whatever the reason, I feel more connected to food which is a really humbling feeling.

My favourite activities here are to slowly wander through the local farmers market every Saturday and to visit the Turkish market at least once a week. I love marvelling at the produce, tasting exotic flavours of jam, pesto and dips, smelling the spices, eating simit and having a little giggle to myself at the Turkish women knocking everyone out of the way with their grocery trollies. Plus it's funny to walk through and smell the Turkish men wearing the same cologne as my dad.

Apples, pears, pomegranates, kaki (Japanese persimmons) and lots of lots of amazingly bright and red Hokkaido pumpkins are in season. I can't get enough of these Hokkaido pumpkins. I've never seen anything like them before. They're so photogenic. And to my delight, they're everywhere!

So far with these pumpkins I've made roast pumpkin gnocchi, risotto with leeks and German pfifferlinge mushrooms, served them roasted with spaghetti, savoury crumble with apple plus a coconut soup. A highlight: Hokkaido pumpkin and coriander soup. The recipe comes from my good friend Angie who has been an amazing support to me here in Berlin.

Finding a sharehouse has been tough work in Berlin and it left me emotionally exhausted. With changes to the school system this year in Germany, sharehousing has become more competitive than ever. With all this stress and competition I needed to be in nature and get away from it all. I craved going on a long walk along the beach like I would back home.

I talked to some friends who recommended I visit Potsdam, a short train ride just out of Berlin. And it was so beautiful. The colour, the crisp air, the peace.

I walked around the Dutch quarter and stopped by La Maison du Chocolat for a deliciously thick dark hot chocolate. Nothing better on a cool Autumn day. I lost track of time walking around Park Sanssouci and taking photos of the trees. The colours were breath-taking.

I will most definitely be returning to Potsdam again soon.


Angie's Hokkaido Pumpkin and Coriander Soup

Serves 4


200g Hokkaido pumpkin, diced
200g carrots, diced
1 tbs finely grated ginger
800mL vegetable stock
juice of 1 orange (I used 2 mandarins)
100g cream
150mL coconut milk
salt, pepper
coriander


Stir fry the pumpkin, carrots and ginger in a little olive oil for a couple of minutes. Add the vegetable stock. Bring to a boil then let simmer for 15 minutes. Set aside.


Add the cream, coconut milk, orange juice and coriander. Puree with a hand-held blender until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.