We all know about roasting pumpkin seeds from the pumpkins you use for decorating and baking. But what about the rest of the pumpkin guts? As we strive to generate less waste in our lives, I’ve pulled together a bunch of really cool uses for both the pulp and the seeds.
Pumpkins seem to me to be the gift which keeps on giving. And Giving. And Giving….
Pumpkins are so big and we use so many of them for decorating from September straight through Thanksgiving. In Autumn there is never a shortage of pumpkins to use. It is important to us – for so many reasons- to find ways to use kitchen scraps. Sometimes we use them in recipes, sometimes we regrow them, sometimes we feed our animals, and sometimes we nourish the soil.
So while they always at a minimum get added to the compost to improve my soil, I love finding new and unique uses for the pulpy bits.
Pumpkin Pulp Risotto
Who doesn’t love comforting risotto in the fall on those cool evenings? Imagine lovely creamy risotto with pumpkin. Heavenly! First, separate out the pulp from the seeds. Then puree the pulp until the strings are gone and you have a nice even consistency. Then just add your pumpkin pulp to the risotto as it’s cooking. You don’t need to pre-cook the pulp – it will cook in the rice.
Pumpkin Guts Bread
One of the fun ideas hitting social media right now is Pumpkin Guts bread. I love this idea because, well, who doesn’t love a fresh cake-bread in the fall. Even better when I can use up my kitchen scraps. A bit like carrot cake, a bit like squash bread, you can whip this recipe up with things you probably already have in your kitchen.
I’ve seen recipes out there with oat flour, wheat flour and regular four. You can add pecans, walnuts or pepitas, cranberries, or leave the chunky bits completely out. This is a must make for this year’s “test kitchen”!
Add it to your smoothies
Turns out pumpkin pulp is chock full of vitamins and antioxidants. It always seems that the parts our grandparents discarded always had the most nutrition! (Think potato skins, apple skins, and even beet tops). So it makes a wonderful addition to your smoothies.
Add a little pumpkin pulp to a fruit smoothie for a power boost. I’d recommend oranges, apples, cranberries or peaches. These all mix really well with pumpkin. Or use a lot and make a pumpkin spice smoothie. For this you’ll want to use some banana, maybe some vanilla Greek yogurt, vanilla, maybe some maple syrup or maple flavoring. From there, you can add sugar or not, as you prefer, and typical pumpkin pie spices.
Pumpkin Hummus
I don’t know about you, but I love a little hummus for snacking alone or along with cheeses on a charcuterie board. It is one of my go-to’s when we have vegan or gluten-free friends visiting, because hummus is just as good with crudités as is is with Naan.
And it is so easy to make! After you separate the seeds, sauté your pumpkin guts in some oil and then whip it up with well-drained canned chickpeas and a little olive oil in the food processor for a lovely, creamy pumpkin hummus. Try the pumpkin hummus with rosemary flatbread or cauliflower florets.
Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal
Power up your breakfast! Mix the pumpkin pulp with a little water and puree for a few seconds with some apple, nutmeg and cinnamon. Stir this into your morning oatmeal for a warming punch of antioxidants.
Add it to your Broth
If you make your own stock from vegetable trimmings, like onion and potato skins, the but or leaves of celery, carrot peelings, etc., your can totally throw in the pumpkin guts, too.
And the best part? You don’t have to do it right away either. Many people collect kitchen scraps in a gallon resealable zip-top bag and keep them in the freezer until they are ready to make the stock / broth.
Make a Pumpkin Guts Face Mask
So, all of those vitamins and antioxidants? Turns out they are REALLY great for your face too. Puree the pumpkin innards along with a drizzle of honey and a squirt of lemon juice. Not only does the pumpkin pulp cool your skin, but it leaves you with a heathy glow. Now how’s that for healthy inside and out?
I love this one especially, because this way the guts can get used twice! When you’re through with it on your face, you still have the pulp for your animals or your compost. Who doesn’t love a two-fer?
Save the Seeds for Next Year’s Garden
Before you roast all of the seeds, save a few for next year’s garden! Saving pumpkin seeds is easier than tomatoes or cucumbers because it’s not necessary to go through the fermentation stage. You just need to let them dry in a single layer for about a week or until they are completely dry.
Always select the largest seeds from your pumpkin guts. Lay them to dry on a coffee filter or a paper plate. Once they are dry, store them in an envelope until you are ready to plant. Check this post out for some tips on growing pumpkins from seed.
Feed Pumpkin Guts to Your Animals
Pumpkin guts make a fantastic addition to you pet’s food. It adds great nutrition for dogs and other animals too! You can cook the pulp and mix it into your dog’s food for an energy boost. I know of at least 6 brands of dog food where pumpkin is the primary ingredient. It is said to be great for intestinal health in pets, and it increases the fiber in your pet’s diet.
Or, feed it to your chickens. They will love it either plain or mixed in with some other typical chicken seeds. Try this great Chicken Treat Recipe for your backyard chickens. This recipe is a super healthy, high protein boredom-buster!
Feed Pumpkin Guts to your Local Wildlife
Another easy option if you have a backyard and some wildlife is to leave the pumpkin and/or the guts out for the wildlife. Squirrels go nuts for pumpkins in some areas…. So much so that they will chew straight through the rind to get at the guts. Not only are you feeding them some nutritious meals and keeping excess out of the landfills, but the squirrels and birds feasting on pumpkins are also very entertaining to watch!
Compost it
When all else fails, add the guts to your compost along with all of your jack-o-lanterns and decorating pumpkins. The liquid in the pulp is excellent for adding moisture to an outdoor compost pile. And the worms absolutely LOVE the pumpkin pulp and the flesh. Smash it don’t trash it! Feed your worms, feed your soil, feed your soul!
What do you use your pumpkin innards for?
