5 new uses for your Halloween pumpkins

Now that Halloween is behind us, chances are good that thousands of people have pumpkins — carved or not — they have used as decoration that will soon be thrown out.

Well, before you just toss that pumpkin in the trash, consider one of these options for your Halloween pumpkin:

1. Roast the seeds

There are several recipes available for roasting pumpkin seeds, and they have become a popular snack over the years. And it’s pretty easy. Just toss them with a little butter or olive oil, sprinkle with salt and roast at 300 degrees until golden brown.

2. Add to compost

You can dispose of old pumpkins naturally in your home garden by digging out space in the soil, adding the pumpkin (either whole or chopped into piece to expedite decomposition), and burying it.

Helpful tip: Remove any extra seeds clinging to the inside before sticking it in the ground, unless you want pumpkins to start growing in your garden (I learned this the hard way).

3. Feed local wildlife

Instead of letting it go to waste, set your pumpkin out for the critters in your ecosystem to enjoy. Just make sure you cut the pumpkins into bite-sized pieces and don’t scatter them too close to your house if you want to avoid attracting hungry animals to your garden.

4. Use them in your kitchen

If your Halloween pumpkins are still in good shape without any signs of mold, you can find hundreds of pumpkin recipes — from pies and soups to purees and casseroles — for a variety of meals.

You can also make a pumpkin stock with the pumpkin strings after you carve your Jack-o’-Lantern. Just put them in a pot with some other veggies — carrots, onions, peppers, etc. — and simmer for an hour or so.

5. Use them for your skin

Because pumpkins contain beta-carotene; zinc; potassium; vitamins A, C, and E; and antioxidants, they actually make a great face mask. According to BeautyLish.com, a pumpkin face mask can be made by combining pumpkin puree, honey and milk in a small bowl.

Just apply it to your face and leave it on for 20 minutes to help your complexion.

Do you have suggestions for what to do with your old Halloween pumpkins? Let us know on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.