Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins!
Pumpkin lattes, pumpkin snacks, pumpkin made-for-TV movies—in case you haven’t noticed, it’s PUMPKIN time! This Waste Not Wednesday, we’re making sure you get every last bit of pulp for your pumpkin to avoid food waste and enjoy this glorious gourd!
The easiest way to use up a whole pumpkin is to stuff it and serve! You can find online recipes for roasted stuffed pumpkin or dips using the pumpkin itself as a bowl, top as a lid. Even if you remove the skin, strings, or seeds, you can save those to make pumpkin chips, puree the insides instead of buying canned pumpkin, or roast the seeds for a seasonal snack. If you buy local or grow your own, not only does it erase the carbon footprint of a purchase, but you can find recipes for eating the flowers, leaves, and stems (who knew?).
You can drink your pumpkin too, and the possibilities don’t end with lattes. You can add pumpkin puree to chai, milkshakes, hot chocolate, cider, smoothies, martinis, and more. Top it with spices and whipped cream and serve with a homemade pumpkin dessert!
Why stop at ingesting a pumpkin when you could also slather it all over yourself? You can add pumpkin to a delightful brown sugar scrub or a homemade lotion or body wash. Pumpkin is amazing for skin, as it is naturally high in antioxidants and contains salicylic acid, zinc, and fruit enzymes to help exfoliate, reduce acne, and boost collagen production for softer skin.
If that still isn’t enough pumpkin for you, you can also just surround yourself with them as beautiful decor. Stack pumpkins by the door, stuff a basket with mini gourds, paint or carve some into jack-o-lanterns for Halloween, or make a wreath. The possibilities are as plentiful as your ideas!
Finally, if all else fails, and you find yourself with leftovers, don’t fret. You can always compost of course, but you can also feed your furry friends. Plain pumpkin is great for dogs, cooked is best for cats, and you can put your leftover pumpkin bits out for the local wildlife. You can even check with local zoos or wildlife centers to see if they will take pumpkin donations.