How to Use Leftover Pumpkin Guts
When fall comes around the corner, you know everyone is participating in some jack-o-lantern
fun. If you’re planning on having some pumpkin carving fun this year, think twice before
throwing out all the guts. There’s a ton of ways you can use the leftovers from your beautiful
Halloween crafts and turn it into something delicious! Here are some ways to use all of the bits
from your pumpkin this spooky season.
Roast Pumpkin Seeds
These roasted pumpkin seeds are super easy to make. Not only do they make a great snack,
but they can make a great addition to your meals. You could put these delicious crunchy bites
into things like your salad or soups. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Then you’re
going to rinse off the pulp off of the pumpkin seeds and pat them dry. Put the dry seeds into a
bowl and toss it with some olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder. You can always sub out
those seasonings for your mix of choice as well. Then lightly grease a pan with olive oil and put
the seeds on it. Bake them for about 12-15 minutes until toasted and crunchy. Make sure to stir
them every 5 minutes to ensure even coating.
Pumpkin Puree
Making puree is great because it can be incorporated into so many different things. It can be
made into tasty treats like pie, cookies or you could even throw it on top of your yogurt in the morning. The possibilities are endless! You can either choose to make it from your leftover jack-
o-lantern or use an entire pumpkin. In this case, if you’re using the leftovers, all you have to do
is steam the pulp for about 30-45 minutes until tender. Then you’re going to let the pulp cool for
a bit. After that, mash it with a potato masher or food processor. You can freeze all the pulp for
later too!
If you’d like to use a whole pumpkin, cut it in half and gut it. Then place it on a baking sheet face
down. Put it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 1 ½ hours. Once you take it out, make sure to
skin it and you’ll follow the same process of mashing it.
You can do so many different things with your pumpkin guts, now you know! Here is a bonus smoothie recipe. Take 1/2 cup of the pumpkin puree you just made, and add in 1/4 cup almond milk, 1/4 cup ice, 1/2 banana, and 1 serving liquid biotin. Not only is this smoothing fantastic for inflammation and your hair, it’s also delicious!