This Halloween, it’s estimated that 22.2 million pumpkins will be binned in the UK. So, you weren’t quite ready to settle for carving orange bell peppers and various vegetables to reduce waste for Halloween? I completely understand. And, now, you’ve got this pumpkin you don’t know what to do with – except send it to the bin. Not to worry, I’ve compiled a few ideas from various sources so you don’t have to. Even if you aren’t being hit with that ‘waste guilt’, give this article a skim to know what you’re missing out on!
Even if you don’t end up using all these ideas, you can keep them in mind for next year.
1. Compost your pumpkin!
Pumpkins make a great, rich compost to help next year’s garden growths! Living in student halls or an apartment that doesn’t allow for much gardening? You can chop them into small pieces and pop them in a food waste caddy.
Otherwise, see if there is a pumpkin drop-off in your local area, or if local gardeners or allotments want to take them in for their compost! In Leicester, on the 12th of November, people are invited to bring their carved pumpkins for composting at Stokes Wood Allotments!
(“Hello, St Andrews Botanic Gardens? Yes, we have 100 pumpkins up for offer…”)
2. Feed it to the animals!
Pumpkins are nutritious for animals too! As long as it’s not mouldy or painted pieces, you can cut up your leftover pumpkin into chunks for foxes, badges or squirrels, or even chickens and pigs.
You could also cut your pumpkin in half into a makeshift bowl, fill with bird food, and enjoy your new hobby as a birdwatcher, while the birds enjoy the pumpkins that will give them plenty of great nutrients to stay strong during winter. Feeling extra creative? Scoop out a maximum of the flesh as possible from the pumpkin half, loop a wire through and hang this pumpkin bird feeder from a branch.
You can also call local farms, animal shelters or zoos and see if they would like them! Some people bring small pieces to their local forest after Halloween – but be sure not to bring an excessive amount, and check local guidelines.
You can also put the seeds into your bird feeders! If you previously set aside the seeds and dried them while carving, pop them into the oven 180C/gas/10mins and they’re good to go, even onto a flat windowpane.
BUT do NOT leave the pumpkins on the ground as they are dangerous for hedgehogs!
3. Freeze it!
You’re in a panic. You don’t have time before your essay to decide what to do with it, or even think about baking. Or maybe, you decided to go absolutely zero waste and now your house is overrun by pumpkin.
Don’t worry! You can always freeze chunks of pumpkin flesh and use them later, even in recipes or drinks (coming soon…) when you do have time (or the procrastination kicks in).
Then it can also go directly into smoothies and stews.
4. Plant it!
Whether lockdown turned you into a plant parent, or you want to test your skills, or convince your parents back home to start a pumpkin patch (that’s Step 1 of getting to the ball right? Or Fright Night?).
Here’s what you’re going to do.
Pat down your seeds until they’re dry. Put them into a container. Store in cool, dry place until April. Once it’s spring, and you’re still absolutely on track to complete this mission (I believe in you), find a spot in your vegetable patch and bury the seeds with compost (now where could you find some of that I wonder…).
Will you grow one of those pumpkins the size of a person? You won’t know until you try.
But you definitely will have cool points, if not a few pumpkins, and will save money on buying a pumpkin next year.
5. Eat your pumpkin yourself!
TIP: for future reference, keep in mind everything from skin to seeds can be put aside to cook.
As I’ve mentioned the seeds a few times already, I’ll start with that.
If you aren’t roasting them, you are seriously missing out. Unlike the rest of these recipes which are now on my ‘to attempt’ list, I have had roasted pumpkin seeds the last few years already. They are so yummy, and are just another element of Halloween traditions to me now! You can eat them on their own, but also scatter them over soups and salads.
You can flavour pumpkin seeds in so many different ways, from sweet (add sugars, syrups, preservatives) to salty to plain (add just some salt and pepper).
There are lots of recipes online! Here’s a guide on roasting pumpkin seeds to get you started: https://www.jamieoliver.com/features/how-to-roast-pumpkin-seeds/#!0
For the pumpkin itself, there are endless recipes and ideas out there, you can check BBC Good Food if you want to browse: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/pumpkin-recipes.
Now, here are some easy and fun recipes I’ve compiled for you to drag your housemates into.
First, a few drinks:
Homemade pumpkin spice latte: https://www.jamieoliver.com/features/recipe-homemade-pumpkin-spice-latte/
Here is a pumpkin pie smoothie: https://www.hubbub.org.uk/pumpkin-pie-smoothie
Pumpkin spice margarita: https://realhousemoms.com/pumpkin-spice-margarita/
Pumpkin mulled wine: https://www.hubbub.org.uk/pumpkin-mulled-wine
Now, some food recipes:
Pumpkin Brownies (cheat sheet!). Using a boxed brownie mix to make pumpkin brownies by using hald the brownie batter, adding pumpkin mixture, then rest of brownie mixture on top: https://www.thecookierookie.com/pumpkin-pie-brownies/
Pumpkin to add to pasta: Steam some pumpkin, add rosemary or sage, top with parmesan and serve pasta with tomato pesto! Or, a pasta bake with roasted pumpkin, rosemary or sage, garlic, cream and grated cheese with the pasta! (Bristol Waste).
Pumpkin soup: https://www.hubbub.org.uk/simple-pumpkin-soup
OR pumpkin and ginger soup: https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/pumpkin-ginger-soup/
OR simply heat some olive oil in a large pan. Add some finely chopped onions and cook until they’re soft. Add your pumpkin and keep cooking.Add stock and double cream, salt and pepper. Puree with a hand blender. (Berkshire Live)
Pumpkin houmous: https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/pumpkin-recipes/roasted-pumpkin-houmous/
OR https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pumpkin-houmous
South Indian pumpkin pickle: https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/south-indian-pumpkin-pickle/
Pumpkin curry with chickpeas: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pumpkin-curry-chickpeas