The seven unusual ways to use up every part of your pumpkin instead of chucking it in the bin
WITH Halloween officially over, your perfectly carved pumpkin might be looking a bit sad in your home.
But don’t worry, there are still a few tricks for getting the last treats out of your carved winter squash.
Just as turkey sandwiches are a staple of post-Christmas mealtimes, it’s likely that your pumpkin still has a bit more life in it.
But of the 1.8 million that people snap up for October 31, 1.1 million are chucked out afterwards.
To combat what could be a terrifying amount of food waste, Zero Waste Scotland has rounded up seven alternative uses for pumpkins…
Pet treats
Instead of throwing your used pumpkin away, treat your four-legged friend to dog biscuits made from leftover pumpkin flesh.
Simply roast the pumpkin, with all the centre removed, until soft.
Then remove the skin and mash or puree the pumpkin before mixing it with eggs, oil, water and flax seeds, cutting the dough into dog-friendly shapes, then baking in the oven.
Ice cream
Abertay University’s food innovation experts have used pumpkins to create a delicious and environmentally friendly ice cream.
All the edible parts of the pumpkin are used, even the pumpkin seeds are roasted and used as a chopped nut substitute.
Their recipe is easy to make at home, just grab an ice cream maker (if you don’t have one try your local tool library as they often have small kitchen appliances available to borrow)and your leftover pumpkins for some delicious Halloween I ‘scream’.
Face mask
Your multi-vitamin pumpkin leftovers can be pureed to create a homemade face mask to revitalise your skin.
If guisers come knocking mid-pamper session it also doubles up as an impromptu Halloween costume.
Tasty tipple
Up your cocktail game with a pumpkin spice margarita that the whole party will enjoy – even after Halloween.
Spice it up
Chop the pumpkin into chunks and add them to a curry for a hearty and easy-to-make dish.
Get creative with the additions, from chicken to coconut.
Bird feeders
Be kind to nature by turning leftovers into a homemade bird feeder.
While the flesh of the pumpkin is great for soups and curries, the skin shouldn’t be overlooked either.
Simply cut a pumpkin in half, scoop out as much flesh as possible and loop a wire through to hang your pumpkin bird feeder from a tree branch.
Fill the hollowed pit with seeds to attract a variety of garden birds.
But remember that pumpkins shouldn’t be left on the ground as they are a danger to hedgehogs.
Hair (s)care
Give your hair a new lease of life with a homemade pumpkin hair conditioning treatment using your carving leftovers.
Homemade pumpkin puree works wonders for dry hair. You’ll save a fortune on expensive hair products and cut down on your food waste at the same time.