Halloween is over and it’s time to switch gears to the Holidays. But what to do with your carefully chosen pumpkins? You spent good time and money on the perfect Jack-O-Lantern and don’t want to simply trash them.
Try one of these options to get the very most out of your Halloween pumpkins.
1. Eat the seeds
It’s simple- just dry them out, coat them with olive oil and then bake them on a baking sheet. You can play with the toppings to find exactly what works for you. Think: salt, pepper, chili peppers, cinnamon, or sugar!
Don’t like the taste? Feed them to the birds, they absolutely love them!
2. Make a puree
This versatile option can eventually turn into pumpkin muffins, pies, breads, or soups! A good pumpkin puree is the base for the majority of some favorite holiday treats. The best part is that it’s super easy to make.
According to Good Housekeeping, all you have to do is simply boil, steam or bake your pumpkin.
Pro Tip: You can freeze the puree for the future. (Think Thanksgiving pies!) In the past, I have used zip lock freezer bags to save room in our crowded freezer.
3. Bake some bread
This list wouldn’t be complete without sharing the best Pumpkin bread recipe out there. Crack open your homemade puree, channel your inner Great British Baking show contestant and check out A Bountiful Kitchen’s easy to follow recipe.
Pro Tip: These loaves also make the greatest holiday gifts for friends, neighbors, or co-workers.
4. Save them for Thanksgiving?
Did you know that healthy, uncarved pumpkins can last up to 12 weeks? Why not save them to help decorate your table for Thanksgiving? This can save you some serious money and energy during a holiday season that can be incredibly tiring.
5. Get Creative
Feeling crafty? You can turn your pumpkin into a flower pot by adding fall flowers. Add some string and you can easily make a makeshift bird feeder in your backyard.
Or, if you have space, you can create a pumpkin catapult! We won’t judge if you would rather smash your pumpkin than eat it. Plus, these activities can get the whole family involved in the fun.
6. Compost
If all else fails, your Jack-O-Lanterns are the perfect addition to your compost pile. You’ll be surprised by how fast they decompose since they’re mostly water. It’s simple all you need to do is cut them up into smaller portions. Just don’t forget to get rid of the seeds first unless you’re wanting to start a pumpkin patch.