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As we are now in Autumn and heading towards Halloween it is time to start thinking about how to make this time more sustainable. More than 8 million pumpkins are wasted each year during Halloween season in the UK alone. Research found that a shocking 18,000 tonnes of pumpkin is wasted each year, including the flesh and seeds. There is no reason to stop the annual pumpkin carving fun you just need to be prepared for what to do to reduce pumpkin waste.
So, what can you do? Here are a few things you can do this year to reduce pumpkin waste when carving your pumpkin.
What to do with the flesh?
Who here enjoys scooping out the flesh of the pumpkin? I find it so satisfying, yet annoying at the same time. You know, you get some bits of the flesh that just won’t give and you have to use so much force to peel it away. Yet it is just so satisfying once the flesh has all been scooped out.
What do you usually do with the flesh? Do you put it on some newspaper or do you place it in a bowl? I recommend this year placing it in a bowl, including the seeds, and keep to one side until you’ve completed the carving.
Once you’ve had your fun with the carving, separate the seeds and the flesh into different bowls. Then you can choose from various different pumpkin recipes to use the flesh in.
Here are some vegan pumpkin recipes that sound delicious!
- Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
- Creamy Pumpkin Soup
- Variety of creamy, spicy and zesty pumpkin soup recipes
- Halloween Pumpkin Soup
- Pumpkin Pancakes
- Pumpkin Cookies With Chocolate Chunks
- White Bean Pumpkin Hummus
Why not give one of those recipes a try?
Sustainable Seeds
There are two things that you can do with pumpkin seeds; eat them or plant them.
Pumpkin seeds can become a very tasty snack or addition to a soup or salad you enjoy. They are rich in zinc and contain antioxidants so they can add some health to your body. There are a variety of different ways you can season pumpkin seeds depending on the sort of flavour you’re after. Why not check out three ways to roast pumpkin seeds for some inspiration.
If eating pumpkin seeds isn’t really your thing then why not try replanting them? Maybe in your own garden or save the seeds for a family member or a friend who you know is an avid gardener. Here are some great tips on storing pumpkin seeds before planting them.
At The End Of The Halloween Season
Have you ever wondered what you could be doing with your carved pumpkin at the end? I’ve been looking into sustainable ways to reduce pumpkin waste and here is what I found.
Do not, I repeat, do not use the carved pumpkin in any sort of food! As you will have exposed the pumpkin when carving it there will be plenty of harmful bacteria that you should not consume.
The best way to make your pumpkin carving sustainable would be to compost. Once the Halloween season is over and you have pumpkins that need to go, consider composting them. This will help reduce waste in landfill sites and help any plants, flowers or vegetables you have grow! If you do not have anything growing, ask around friends and family and see if they need any compost for their garden. They will appreciate the offer!
