It's hard to buy too many pumpkins before Halloween. They're so affordable and bright. And the allure of pumpkins is undeniable. Whether it's their vibrant orange hue or their association with the spookiest season, we just can't resist bringing home more of these autumnal icons than we need. And who could blame us? Their cheerful presence adds just a splash of fall spirit to our homes. But fast-forward to November, and we don't want much to do with them. Those once-celebrated pumpkins often feel like cumbersome leftovers, taking up prime real estate on our porches, countertops, and hallways.
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However, resigning these orange gems to the fate of yard waste is doing them a disservice. They've got too much to offer otherwise! Don't just throw them away. They still have life in them yet. Rather than relegating them to the trash heap, why not tap into the many ways they can be recycled, repurposed, and eaten as part of your spread of fall dishes?
If you're thinking of diving fork-first into your jack-o'-lantern, a word of caution: safety first! Ensure that your pumpkin hasn't been treated with any harmful chemicals or paints, and give it a thorough wash to remove any grime from its Halloween adventures. Ready to unlock the potential of post-Halloween pumpkins? Read on for 10 ingenious ways to give them a new lease on life.
You can thank us later while eating some of that yummy pumpkin pie!
Eat the seeds
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Pumpkins store a salty, nutty treat in their depths. Roast the pumpkin seeds from your leftovers for a quick snack. Toss the rinsed seeds with a little olive oil, sprinkle some salt on top, and roast for about 30 minutes in an oven at 300 degrees.
You could also use them as bird seeds and put them inside your bird feeder!
Make pumpkin puree
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Thanksgiving is just around the corner from Halloween and that means pumpkin pie. Instead of buying the canned stuff at the store, whip up some homemade puree.
Cut your pumpkin in half, scoop out the guts and seeds.
Place the two halves of the pumpkin face side down on a sheet tray. Add a cup of water and to the tray and bake for 90 minutes.
Scoop out the inside of the cooked pumpkin and puree in a food processor. Voila!
Warm up with pumpkin soup
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Turn that homemade puree into an inviting soup for the cold months. Combine four cups of your puree with six cups of chicken stock, salt, pepper, onion, garlic, parsley and cream and you have a bistro-worthy meal.
Make some all-purpose veggie stock
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Don't throw away all those stringy guts when you clean out your pumpkin! Whether you are carving on Halloween or just want to use up extra pumpkins, those insides make tasty veggie stock.
Plop the guts into a stock recipe that includes carrots, onions, mushrooms, garlic, and fennel and you will get the most out of your pumpkin.
Decorate for Thanksgiving
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The holidays generally mean hectic schedules and harried households. Instead of slaving away in the kitchen just repurpose your uncut pumpkins into Thanksgiving decorations.
Place them on an end table or at the center of your dining table. Surround them with dried corn, scented candles, and Thanksgiving-themed items for a quick transformation.
Create a pumpkin spa treatment
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Remember that silky pumpkin puree you made? Turn it into a facial with a little honey, coconut oil or whole milk for a quick, rejuvenating break.
Make pumpkin skin chips
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Peel off the pumpkin skin and crisp them up in a dehydrator with a sprinkling of paprika and sea salt. Pumpkin skin has tons of vitamins and nutrients and even a rich flavor.
Make a real pumpkin spice latte
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Skip the fake, sugary syrup at your local coffeehouse. Whip up some pumpkin puree, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, milk, a touch of sugar and espresso for a decadent pumpkin latte at home.
Bake up some bread
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Pumpkin bread makes perfect presents for co-workers and family. It also makes anyone's house smell like a Thanksgiving dream. If you make it with your own pumpkin puree you can really said you made it from scratch.
Start composting pumpkins
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If all else fails, a jack-o-lantern makes a wonderful compost pile. They break down within a couple of weeks and give your garden some much-needed nutrients. You just need a compost bin for your old pumpkins.
