Pumpkin Ideas: Waste Not!
The statistics haunting pumpkin waste around Halloween are truly terrifying!
Every year, more than 1 billion pounds of pumpkin get tossed out and left to rot in landfills in the US. Remember, when food waste goes to the landfill it does not decompose but rather generates methane.
According to the World Economic Forum, “every year, 10 million pumpkins are grown in the UK. Of those, 95% are used at Halloween and then thrown away – creating 18,000 tonnes of food waste“. Read on for pumpkin ideas to use it all up and scare away the hauntings of wasted opportunities!
Eat The Whole Pumpkin
Did you know…
Nearly all parts of the pumpkin are edible, including the fleshy shell, the seeds, the leaves, and even the flowers.
Read on to discover recipes to use up the whole pumpkin!
Instructions For Roasting Pumpkin Seeds
Separate the seeds from the pumpkin guts and soak them in a bowl of water to separate the rest of the flesh bits.
Drain out the water and give it to your houseplants!
1. Spread your seeds out on a baking sheet and let them dry.
2. Coat your seeds in olive oil and add on any seasonings you prefer — savory or sweet!
3. Roast at 325°F for 20 minutes. Flip them over and roast until golden brown – about another 10 minutes. Your oven may vary.
Make Pumpkin Seed Pesto!
What is the Inside of a Pumpkin Called?
Pumpkin innards or guts are very versatile and can be added to many dishes.
- Use it as a base for homemade stew
- A flavorful thickening agent for thin sauces
- Use it as the wet material next time you bake a loaf cake
- Make Pumpkin Gut Bread
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If you’re looking to grow your own pumpkins, check out West Coast Seeds.
“Pumpkin Seeds contain Omega-3 fatty acids and are the best vegetable source of iron. Aside from being healthy and quite versatile in the kitchen, pumpkin seeds are fun to grow. Some plants become truly enormous and require a lot of room, but some are compact and perfectly suited for the small backyard and patio container.”
Pumpkin Recipes from Our Community
If you prefer to leave it to the experts & enjoy ready-to-eat meals, check out our community member Richer Earth Vegan Eats!
RicherEarth Vegan Eats’ “Hot & Sassy” Pumpkin (or Squash) Soup
100% vegan, gluten-free, and all natural.
Size: 1L (serves 2 – 3 persons)
Heat Level: Mild or medium.
Buying & Storing: Choose your container type. This product is available for delivery in glass mason jars for refrigeration, or in freezer proof containers. This soup stores beautifully frozen for up to 6 weeks.
Now delivering to select Ontario regions. See Shipping Policy. $20 minimum purchase of store products.
Ingredients:
Pumpkin (or Squash), Sweet Potato, Yellow Yam (may vary depending on availability), Sweet Corn (Local, Non-GMO), Onion, Organic Spices, Scotch Bonnet Pepper. May contain traces of tree nuts.
Other Pumpkin Ideas for After Halloween
We want to know:
What do you do with your pumpkins?
If you do not eat them, let other creatures have a go!
- You can make a bird feeder to support local biodiversity.
- Donate the scraps to a local farm or animal sanctuary for feed.
- COMPOST THE REMAINS!
Share this article with your friends and family to start a conversation!
If you liked this blog, check our other recipe blogs: “Lilac Recipes: An Edible Taste of Spring” or “Corn Cob Stock: A Zero-Waste Summer Recipe“
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Whether you are going full vegan or starting to eat less meat, our guide to veganuary will help you go plant-based in 2023.
