Extra large ‘Monster Mash’ swede is being promoted ahead of Halloween in partnership with Scottish grower ESG Drysdale
Tesco is to sell extra large limited edition ‘Monster Mash’ swede in the run up to Halloween to encourage shoppers to revisit the old tradition of swede carving.
Select stores across Scotland will be selling the vegetable, known as neeps in Scotland, ahead of the 31 October occasion, supplied by swede specialist ESG Drysdale.
The retailer hopes Scots will see the benefit of a hearty autumn meal, alongside the carving possibilities.
The Monster Mash neep is grown especially for this seasonal launch as “a proudly Scottish crop that’s big on flavour and full of Halloween spirit, perfect for family fun and hearty autumn dishes”, ESG Drysdale said.
Before pumpkins became popular, Scots carved lanterns out of swedes to ward off spirits during Halloween, a tradition dating back over 2,000 years to the Celtic festival of Samhain.
When Scottish and Irish immigrants took the custom to America in the 1700s, pumpkins eventually replaced swedes.
