Tesco brings back Scotland’s original Halloween lantern – the neep

Tesco is reviving one of Scotland’s oldest Halloween traditions by introducing an extra-large neep (swede) as part of a limited-edition seasonal launch in partnership with ESG Drysdale.

In the run-up to Halloween 2025, select Tesco stores across Scotland will feature the limited-edition ‘Monster Mash’ Scottish swede – a larger-than-usual neep, grown for the Halloween period. Whilst carving is part of the fun, this isn’t just for decoration: it’s a versatile, hearty vegetable perfect for autumn cooking.

Before pumpkins became popular, Scots carved lanterns out of swedes (or ‘neeps’) 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–1800s, pumpkins eventually replaced swedes.

The Monster Mash neep is grown especially for this seasonal launch – a proudly Scottish crop that’s big on flavour and full of Halloween spirit, perfect for family fun and hearty autumn dishes.

Neeps are famously tougher to carve than pumpkins, but that’s part of their authenticity. Scots have long embraced the challenge, treating it as the ultimate test of Halloween toughness. Carving a neep lantern is a true tradition. By working with Scottish growers to create this seasonal special, Tesco is championing local produce and reducing food waste – because the Monster Mash swede isn’t just for show, it’s a delicious, versatile vegetable that’s as good on the plate as it is in your Halloween celebrations.

Rachel Hunter, Commercial Manager at ESG Drysdale, added: ‘As a business that’s been proudly growing swede in Scotland for almost 60 years, we’re excited to see the swede celebrated once again as part of Halloween. The Monster Mash swede gives people the chance to enjoy the fun of carving, while also cooking up a nutritious, locally grown vegetable that’s packed with flavour.’

The launch forms part of the wider Neeps Rising campaign, a six-month national movement led by East of Scotland Growers and ESG Drysdale to champion Scotland’s humble swede as a symbol of resilience, heritage and sustainability.