Don’t let your pumpkins go to waste this Halloween; here are some things you can do with your pumpkins to give them a new lease of life.
Each year, millions of pumpkins around the world are bought and sold for carving purposes. A great and fun Halloween activity, they often go to waste once they are carved and put outside for display.
In the UK alone, 14.5 million pumpkins are expected to be left uneaten this Halloween. This year, why not make the most of your Halloween pumpkins with these tips and tricks to give them an additional purpose?
What to do with your pumpkins after Halloween – make them into something tasty
When you scoop out the inside of your pumpkin, both the flesh and the seeds have great nutritional value! Why not bake the insides into a pie or some bread? You could also make pumpkin soup.
Additionally, pumpkin seeds make for a delicious and healthy snack. So, you can eat them as is or dry and roast them for a snack, or even add them to a salad or dish for added crunch!
It’s not recommended to do this with pumpkins that were carved days ago, so make sure to eat or cook them fresh. Also, if you have leftover pumpkin, you can turn it into pumpkin puree and freeze it for when your next recipe calls for it.
Also, if you have a pumpkin that has gone uncarved after Halloween has passed, you can try donating them to local shelters, if they allow donations, as well as animal sanctuaries.
What else can you do with your pumpkins? – lots of great options
You can turn your pumpkin into a bird feeder. Cut off the top of the pumpkin so that it is in a sort of bowl shape, poke holes in the side of the pumpkin and insert twigs or sticks for birds to perch on, and fill the inside with bird feed.
This way, you reduce waste and feed wildlife in the run-up to the cold weather. In addition, you could cut up bits of the pumpkin and leave it out for animals to feast on.
Make sure to pick off any wax that has dripped onto the pumpkin if you decide to do this. Also, if your pumpkin has scorch marks from a tealight, compost it, as this part can be harmful to animals.
If your pumpkin is still in good shape and hasn’t been carved, you could turn it into a fall planter.
Fill your pumpkin with soil before putting in the flowers you want. Voila! You have some beautiful seasonal décor.
Add them to your compost bin – great worm food
Pumpkins are a favourite food for worms, which is why they make great compost material. Break your pumpkin up first before you throw it in your compost bin to speed up the process.
Finally, if pumpkin seeds aren’t the snack for you, you can store them to grow your own Jack-o’-lantern for next year.
Rinse all of your seeds and pick the biggest ones, as they will have the best chances of germinating. Store them in a cool, dry spot for about one week, then put them in your fridge.
Come the April before Halloween next year; you can plant the seeds in your garden so that they are ready for next October.
