Typically the UK throws away around 18 thousand tonnes of pumpkin each year after Halloween – and we’re guessing that given how popular pumpkin patches and the celebrations this weekend were, this figure is set to be even higher this year.
We’re also guessing you may have one or two slightly sorry looking pumpkins sitting on your doorstep or around your house this week and are wondering what eco-friendly things you can do with them. Here goes…
Make soups or stews
If your pumpkin has been kept inside, is only a day or two old, and is in fairly good condition, then there’s no need to throw it out. High in vitamins A and C, and a good source of fibre, you can cook pumpkin in a similar way to a sweet potato. Try slicing it into bite sized chunks and add it to curries or chilli con carne (you may want to cut it into smaller cubes for this). Or simmer into homemade soup, along with garlic, chopped onion and vegetable stock.
Turn it into a bird feeder
Your children will love this one. If your pumpkin is already hollowed out with the top sliced off, simply throw in a handful of bird seed and place it somewhere easily accessible for any birds coming into your garden. You could make a hanging feeder by pushing a sturdy stick through your pumpkin (which will become perches for the birds) and tying string to each stick. You can then hang your feeder from a tree branch. Top up the seeds every few days.
Feed other animals too
It’s not just birds who will love your leftover pumpkin. You can bury chopped up pumpkin (minus the seeds) about 20cm deep in your garden for worms and insects to feast on (this is also good for your soil).
Toast the seeds for a healthy snack
If you haven’t scooped them out and binned them already, give the seeds a good wash to remove the pumpkin flesh and lay them out on a baking tray. Bake at 180c/gas mark 4 for around 10 minutes.
If all else fails, throw your pumpkin out. If you have a garden compost heap, throw it on there. If not, and it does end up in the bin, try to use a food waste recycling bin if possible.