There is nothing better, in culinary terms, than to cook according to the seasons. A highlight of the autumn season is undoubtedly the pumpkin or squash, a brightly coloured vegetable with a particularly delicate flavour, which lends itself well to the preparation of different types of recipes, ranging from starters to desserts. Today's recipe is, in some ways, a classic: penne pasta with speck ham and squash. It includes a ‘sauce’ of cream and parmesan, which ties the sauce in with the pasta in a particularly enticing way to delight the whole family. Try it for yourself and let us know what you think!

Chop the onion and brown it in a frying pan with 2 tablespoons oil. Add the cubed squash flesh, then add the smoked ham (speck). Adjust the salt. Cook the pasta, drain it ‘al dente’, add the sauce and toss for a few moments. Add the fresh cream and Parmesan to the pasta mixture and combine well. Finish with some fresh parsley and serve immediately.