Don’t Throw Your Pumpkins Away
Now that Halloween is over, we are looking forward to Thanksgiving, and pumpkins are expected to rot on our porches or get thrown in the garbage. Don’t let your pumpkins go to waste. There are eco-friendly ways to manage the issue, and here are a few suggestions on how to get rid of your pumpkins while helping the environment.
Feed the Wild Animals
Have squirrels ever burrowed holes into your pumpkin? Animals love eating pumpkins off the porch! Once you’re done using your pumpkin for the Fall season, cut it in half and leave it on the ground in the backyard or along the side of your house. I can promise you that it won’t be long before the birds and the squirrels take care of it for you!
Grow More Pumpkins
Have a garden? Save the seeds from your pumpkins to plant for next year! Pumpkins are easy to grow and take care of. You might even have some grow in your yard solely from the squirrels trying to eat the pumpkins and scattering the seeds.
Make Pepitas
Pumpkins are totally edible! Be sure your pumpkin is fresh — not eaten by animals, carved, or rotten. You can bake the seeds or blend the flesh into a puree for pumpkin pie. To make pepitas, be sure that your seeds are clean and dry, season them, and roast the seeds in your oven at 350F for 15 minutes.
Make Pumpkin Puree
Cut a small pumpkin in half. Clean the seeds and pulp out of the center. Place the pumpkin halves face up on a baking sheet and roast at 350F for 45 minutes — until the flesh can be easily pierced with a fork. Scoop out the flesh from the skin and blend in a blender. Now you can make smoothies, bread, pie, and more with your fresh puree!
Have you ever tried these ideas out? I grew up making pepitas — such a great treat! Pumpkins are very versatile and deserve to be put to use for more than just sitting on the porch or getting thrown in the street by rude teenagers. Let me know if you tried any of these ideas or if you have some of your own that I didn’t list. Until the next update, let’s keep making a difference!
