Using Leftover Pumpkin

Think beyond pies and typical recipes when considering ways to use leftover pumpkin. Pumpkins offer so much more than just a seasonal flavor. You can make use of every part of this gourd, even down to the stems.

How to Use Leftover Pumpkin

Carving pumpkins is only half the fun. There are so many other ways to use pumpkins than making jack-o-lanterns. The seeds, the flesh and even the outer rind are all useful. By following this simple guide, you can stop food waste and learn the best way to use every single part of the pumpkin.

Pumpkin rind or peels

Let’s start with the outside of the pumpkin. This is one of the most versatile parts of the plant. There are many different ingredient swaps and ways to use the tough outer peel, from dog treats to soup and vegetable stock.

Pumpkin skin chips

The easiest way to use pumpkin skin or peel is to make crispy chips. All you need is a baking tray, oven or air fryer.

Peel the pumpkin and cut the peel into bite-sized pieces. Then, toss the pumpkin peel in some olive oil and salt. Spread them out on a baking tray and either bake or air fry them at 355 F for 15-20 minutes.

Soup

Making pumpkin soup is a pretty popular way to cook with pumpkin puree. In fact, pumpkin SunButter soup is full of nutty and sweet flavors that are a perfect fall treat.

Cut the pumpkin peel into small pieces as you cook the soup, and let it cook with the rest of the ingredients. Puree it with an immersion blender or food processor when it’s nice and soft. The pumpkin peel will give the soup more fiber and flavor.

Dog treats

Pumpkin can also be an all-natural treat for your furry friend. When the peels are dehydrated, they become chewy, which is fantastic for dogs that love to gnaw on things.

The process couldn’t be easier. Peel the pumpkin into large pieces, leaving some flesh on them too. Lay them out on a baking tray, skin side down. Don’t add salt because dogs need unsalted treats. Then, bake them at 375 F for about 30-45 minutes.

Potpourri or simmer pots

Fill your home with classic fall scents. To do this, add pumpkin peel to either a simmer pot on the stove or dry the peel and mix it into tabletop potpourri.

The easiest option is a simmer pot. Fill a pot with water. Add cloves, cinnamon sticks, apples and pumpkin peels. Bring it to a low boil, then turn down the heat to lightly simmer. As it simmers, the aromas will fill the air.

Dried potpourri is another easy option, too. Fill a jar or mesh bag with a combination of ingredients, such as:

• Rosemary or sage.
• Cinnamon sticks or clove.
• Dried apple slices.
• Dried orange peel.
• Pine cones.
• Dried pumpkin skins.

Then, toss them with your favorite essential oil. The best ones are woodsy, like cinnamon, orange or fir.

Vegetable stock

This is one of the best ways to minimize food waste. Add all of the peels and parts of the pumpkin to a pot of water. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer for about an hour. Then, strain the broth and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Pumpkin flesh

The pumpkin flesh is the most well-known part of the pumpkin for cooking or baking. Whenever people think about cooking pumpkin, their minds instantly go to things like pies and cakes — and those recipes use pumpkin puree. Here are some of the tastiest — and easiest — ways to use pumpkin puree.

Pancakes and French Toast

Enjoy the flavors of fall for breakfast. Pumpkin pancakes are bursting with cinnamon, spice and everything nice. This recipe for Hawaiian roll French Toast calls for pumpkin puree, too.

Cheesecake

Everyone loves pumpkin pie, but making pumpkin cheesecake takes it to a whole new level. Combining pumpkin puree with cream cheese, sugar and spices transforms the cheesecake into the ultimate fall treat. That works for this mini pumpkin tiramisu dessert, too.

Salad

Roast some pumpkin slices, but don’t puree them. Roasted pumpkin looks and tastes incredible on top of a fall salad. Then, drizzle it with a vinaigrette, and the salad is ready to eat.

Desserts

Add pumpkin puree to whatever you’re baking for cakes, cookies and brownies. “We scoop out the pumpkin flesh to turn into pumpkin puree,” states Sarita Harbour from An Off Grid Life, “then freeze it for use in baking and cooking.”

Freeze it and save it to use in all sorts of baked goods. Pumpkin muffins and pumpkin cake are the most popular options. Brownies, cookies and cupcakes are great ways to use the puree. Or you could try this recipes for pumpkin protein pudding.

Pumpkin seeds

As you carve your pumpkin, keep the seeds. They are delightfully crunchy and make a super simple snack. But what are some other ways to use pumpkin seeds? They taste perfect on top of a salad or baked into crackers. 

Seed crackers

Add pumpkin seeds to homemade seed crackers. They add texture, flavor and nutrition, and give the crackers the best little crunch. These crackers taste delicious by themselves. Or top them with some cream cheese and fresh herbs for a fancy appetizer.

Roasted seeds

The most popular way to use pumpkin seeds is to season, roast and eat them as a snack. A handful of pumpkin seeds is the perfect little snack, especially for anyone who enjoys sunflower seeds or pistachios.

Flavor them in a variety of different ways. Make them sweet with some cinnamon and sugar. Toss them in pepper for spicy seeds. Or coat them in salt to keep things simple.

Salad topping

Sprinkling roasted pumpkin seeds on top of a salad is another way to use and enjoy them. Match the flavor of the seeds to the type of salad you’re eating. For example, a cinnamon-roasted seed is perfect for eating a fall salad.

Pumpkin stem

What about the pumpkin stem? Since it’s basically wood, it’s not edible. So, what can you do with it? There are two ways to use the pumpkin stem. Compost it or craft with it.

Compost

Composting non-edible parts of plants, like stems, creates nutrient-rich soil. Then, this soil is ready for use in herb or container gardens, all set to grow almost anything. This article offers suggestions on what to do with leftover pumpkins after Halloween.

Crafts

There are a lot of home decor and fun crafts you can make with the pumpkin stem, too. Cut and dry the stem and then use it as the stem in a fake pumpkin. It will last for years. Or use it as a stamp for painting. The stem also makes the perfect tree trunk for DIY home decor trees.

This article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.