DON'T JUST TOSS THOSE LEFTOVER PUMPKINS!
As I strolled through my neighborhood yesterday with my dog, I noticed that just about every other house still has Halloween pumpkins on its front porch and many houses are sporting more than one pumpkin. That's a lot of pumpkins people been using for Halloween decorations that they are ready to dispose of.
BUT, did you know that if you throw your left-over pumpkins into the trash when they end up in landfills and decompose they turn into methane, which is a harmful greenhouse gas? And did you know that some 1.3 billion pumpkins will be thrown away... the methane produced by pumpkins in landfills is equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions of more than 45,000 cars.
“The pumpkin lies yellow, beneath the cold skies, it’s luscious and mellow, and ready for pies.”
... Walt Mason, The Pumpkin
So if you have left-over Halloween pumpkins you're ready to dispose of, do it responsibly. Here are 10 creative and delicious ways to move those pumpkins from your porch to your pantry:
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Cook or bake them. Pumpkins can be used in a variety of dishes, such as pies, cookies, muffins, bread, soups, and stews. You can also roast or grill pumpkin. Check out 59 pumpkin recipes.
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Donate pumpkins to farms to feed them to animals. Pumpkins are a healthy and nutritious treat for animals such as pigs, cows, goats, and chickens. Places to donate your pumpkins to Charlotte area farms.
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Compost them. Pumpkins are a great source of nutrients for a compost pile. Cut them up into small pieces and add them to your compost bin. Pumpkins are 90% water and they will break down once you cut them so long as you move the seeds first.
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Donate pumpkins to a food bank or soup kitchen. Many food banks and soup kitchens accept donations of pumpkins. It's a great way to help those in need and reduce food waste.
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Turn them into seeds. Pumpkin seeds are a healthy and delicious snack. To save pumpkin seeds, simply scoop them out of the pumpkin, wash them, and roast them in the oven. Or scatter the seeds for birds, squirrels, deer that might be visiting you yard.
- Make pumpkin puree. Pumpkin puree is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes. To make pumpkin puree, cook the pumpkin until it's tender, then mash it with a fork or potato masher.
- Make dog treats with pumpkin puree, which is great for a dog's digestion.
- Make a bird or squirrel feeder by cutting the pumpkin in half and putting birdseed in it or various nuts for the squirrels.
- Feed wildlife by placing pieces of pumpkin in a wooded area for deer or other animals.
- Freeze your pumpkins. Pumpkins can be frozen for up to three months. To freeze a pumpkin, simply cut it up into pieces and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container.
"When life gives you pumpkins, make pie.”
... Unknown
MAKE THE PERFECT PUMPKIN PIE: VIDEO
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