So, the carving is done & you find yourself left with a sad looking pumpkin just begging you not to chuck them out? You’re not the
only one. Unfortunately, the majority of 'used' Halloween pumpkins go straight from
ghoulish window décor, to fill the nearest
landfill where they will eventually contribute to methane levels that
are already too high. How sad.
If that doesn’t sound right for your,
here are some alternative ideas for giving that scary lantern a second
use & how to bid it a suitable and proper farewell.
Upcycle It to Food
Creating a yummy autumnal dish with your pumpkin is probably the most obvious way
of stretching out your pumpkins life & use. Scoop out the 'guts' of
the pumpkin & create a number of delicious, scrumptious treats:
pumpkin butter, pumpkin smoothies, pumpkin bread, pumpkin soup, & so many more. The
seeds themselves are also fantastic when roasted.
Grow Your Own
Of course, save those seeds you have scooped out of your pumpkin, dry them out on a window sill, then pop them in a bag. Seal the bag, then whip it out when it's planting time next year! Easy peasy.
Feed the Birds
Yes, literally. Zoologists have confirmed that feeding pumpkins to
birds is safe.
There are also loads of zoos which accept pumpkin donations, then feed them to their animals as local, seasonal treats (green,
sustainable, organic zoo food!). Your zoo might even offer a chance to take your
kids in & watch (& since lions are on the top of the list for being pumpkin lovers, I imagine this could pretty cool).
Treat Your Skin
Pumpkin is full of rich vitamins, enzymes & even essential amino
acids, all of which benefit your skin. They also boast
alpha-hydroxy acids that are known to decrease the appearance of
wrinkles. So if you’re in the mood for a homemade face treatment, a
basic pumpkin puree is a wonderful place to start. Leave on for
approximately 10 minutes & use as a gentle exfoliator when rinsing
off. For a softer, gentler version, add in some honey & a little bit
of cream or milk.
For extra exfoliation, mix in cream and brown sugar.
Final Goodbye
For your pumpkin’s final resting place when you have got your use out of it, simply break up your pumpkin to add to your own compost pile. It will turn itself into a really rich part of your soil ready to
fertilize & delight your spring plants in a few months.
