Glancing out my office window at lunchtime yesterday, a vision in amber shimmers before me.   Lining the steps of Granary Square in King’s Cross are three thousand pumpkins basking in the freakish heat of the Halloween sun. Gazing in awe, I popped out to take a closer look at Pumpkins at KX – London’s quirkiest veggie art installation.

Office Breaks Pumpkins at KX

Piled haphazardly in all shapes and sizes, the leering vegetables vie for attention against a constant stream of smartphone clicks and instant Instagram uploads. Will social media cope with the tide of pumpkin art I wonder?

Office Breaks pumpkins at KX

Toiling in dedicated workshops provided courtesy of the Skip Garden, the pumpkin parade showcases the collective efforts of children, adults and master-carvers alike. As I gaze in wonder across the sea of russet, new additions arrive and are constantly added to the throng.

Office Breaks pumpkins at KX

Office Breaks Pumpkins at KX

As twilight falls the pumpkins have their Cinderella moment with candles bringing their grimacing features to life.  Intricately carved spindly spiders and prowling felines add a creative twist to the traditional triangular facial features.

Office Breaks KX pumpkins at night

After their two days in the autumn sun, residents and visitors are invited to come and collect a free pumpkin. Accompanying pumpkin recipe cards compiled by local chefs provide practical tips on how to make mouth-watering dishes including Roast Pumpkin and Chilli Soup and Pumpkin Walnut and Ricotta Cannelloni. Who knew they had so much culinary potential? The carved pumpkins will be composted by Global Generation and the London Waste Eco Park.

In desperate need of some inspiration for my lack-lustre home-made lunches, I make a note to drop by and pick up my recipe card later today.  By this time next week I have a feeling I may never want to see a pumpkin again.

Pumpkins at KX ran from Thursday 30^th October to Saturday 1^st November 2014.