Lola Gayle, STEAM Register
Halloween will soon be a memory, but what should you do with that leftover, soggy Jack O’ Lantern?
Should you toss it and let it rot with all the others? Well, that would be the easiest choice, albeit a wasteful one.
As a matter of fact, 1.91 billion pounds of pumpkins were grown in the U.S. in 2014, most of which wound up being carved and set on porches to celebrate the season. But all those Halloween Jack O’ Lanterns wind up in the landfill once the holiday is over, where they can generate greenhouse gas emissions.
Now, we’re not saying you should eat it after it’s been carved and left to sit outside — that would be dangerous. But that doesn’t mean you have to throw it away.
According to C2 Education, you can:
Compost it: If you compost, toss it in your compost bin. Give it to a gardening neighbor. Or check to see if your town has a community compost heap.
Bury it: If you don’t compost, consider burying the pumpkin in your garden. It will decompose quickly and add valuable nutrients to your soil, which will make your plants very happy come spring.
Feed the birds: Break up the pumpkin and toss it in the woods or bushes where birds can easily get to it.
Use it as a Thanksgiving planter: Stick a potted plant in your Jack O’ Lantern, turn the carved side in to face the wall, and you’ve got a lovely Thanksgiving-themed planter.
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Waste Not, Want Not
If you decided to paint your pumpkin this year instead of carving it, then you’re in luck. If it’s not too old, there are a lot of ways to use it, and that includes eating it. In fact, pumpkins are a great source of vitamins A and C, fiber, phytosterols, protein, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids.
First off, you can roast or toast all those pumpkin seeds. But you could also make pumpkin puree, a primary ingredient in in everything from breads and pies to soups and sauces.
Here is a selection of our favorite recipes and ideas.
Credit: iStockphoto
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds – The seeds you discard from your Jack O’ Lanterns are just a quick roast away from becoming a delicious snack. Here’s a great how-to guide for getting the most out of your pumpkin seeds from jamieoliver.com.
Pumpkin Seed Brittle – In the video below, Alton Brown shows us how to make pumpkin seed brittle that’s too good to share.
How To Make Pumpkin Puree – The video below from Steve’s Kitchen explains how easy pumpkin puree is to make.
Pumpkin French Toast Stuffed with Blackberry-Caramel Mascarpone – This Pumpkin French Toast from Bobby Flay is stuffed with blackberry-caramel mascarpone.
Pumpkin, Beef, and Black Bean Chili – The addition of pumpkin makes this hearty beef and bean chili perfect for fall. Courtesy Country Living Magazine.
Risotto with Pumpkin – This recipe gets flavor from Parmesan cheese, rosemary, and porcini mushrooms. Courtesy Country Living Magazine.
Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good – This pumpkin is filled with the savory goodness of bacon, cheese, and bread, and makes a hearty main course or side dish. The recipe comes from “Around My French Table,” by Dorie Greenspan.
Credit: iStockphoto
Roasted Pumpkin Soup – Instead of sugar pumpkins, you can use other winter squash. Kabocha, calabaza, and Hubbard are the best alternatives. Choose a squash that feels heavy for its size and is free of soft spots. The soup can be garnished with toasted pepitas or a dollop of sour cream — or both. Courtesy Martha Stewart.
Apple-and-Root-Vegetable Hash – Experiment with various sweet apple varieties, including Braeburn, Honeycrisp, and Fuji. Courtesy Martha Stewart.
Credit: iStockphoto
Deep-Dish Pumpkin-Meringue Pie – Dress up your pumpkin pie for a special occasion by mounding a glorious mountain of meringue on top. Courtesy Martha Stewart.
Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake Cookie Bars – Everyone’s fall favorites – pecan pie, cheesecake, pumpkin and caramel – come together in one indulgent layered dessert! Courtesy Betty Crocker.
Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting – Make a stunning, moist pumpkin cake with the help of your slow cooker! Courtesy Betty Crocker.
See Also: Ultimate Wine Guide For Halloween Candy
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