Did you know that Hawaiʻi residents pay some of the highest grocery prices in the nation, yet still throw away about 237,000 tons of food each year? That’s equal to over a quarter of the available food supply, adding up to over $1 billion annually – about $700 per person!
Carving jack-o’-lanterns is a fun fall tradition, but it can also contribute to this problem of unnecessary food waste. If improperly disposed of, pumpkin waste can even wash down storm drains and into the ocean, depleting the water’s dissolved oxygen and harming aquatic animals. Instead of tossing out your pumpkin’s insides, try these five creative and eco-friendly ways to use every part of your pumpkin this year. Pumpkin pulp and raw pumpkin seeds only last around three days in the fridge, so don’t carve your pumpkins too early if you want to follow any of these tips!
- Roast the Seeds for a Tasty Snack
Roasted pumpkin seeds are a classic and easy snack! All you need are pumpkin seeds, a little cooking oil and your favorite seasonings.
Recipe:
- Rinse the pumpkin seeds in cold water. Don’t worry about getting every bit of pulp – it will come off in the next step.
- Boil the seeds in salted water for 5 minutes.
- Drain, rinse, and dry the seeds as best you can with a paper towel.
- Drizzle just enough cooking oil of your choice to lightly coat your seeds. Toss to evenly coat all the seeds and then sprinkle with your favorite spices.
- Spread the seeds onto a baking sheet and bake at 350°F until crisp and browned around the edges. Et voila – a healthy, tasty snack!
- Turn Pumpkin Pulp into a Nourishing Face M ask
Pumpkin pulp is packed with antioxidants that can brighten and hydrate your skin. Take advantage of its benefits by making a simple facemask.
Recipe:
- Add your pumpkin pulp to a blender or food processor to make ¼ cup of puree.
- Add one tablespoon of oil and one tablespoon of honey to the puree.
- Smooth the mixture onto your face and let it sit for 8-10 minutes.
- Rinse with warm water and pat dry for a fresh, luminous glow!
- Make a Flavorful Vegetable Stock
Combining pumpkin insides with other vegetable scraps makes for a rich and flavorful stock. Use it as a delicious base for soups, stews, and other savory recipes. See our blog post on how to turn your veggie scraps into stock.
- Freeze into Treats for Your Canine Companion
Pumpkin is a great source of vitamins and minerals, not just for people but for pets, too! Simply puree pumpkin pulp and freeze the mixture in ice cube trays for a refreshing and nutritious treat for your pet.
- Compost for a Greener Garden
Pumpkin is perfect for composting, especially when broken up into smaller pieces. See our previous blog post on how to start composting for a healthier, happier garden. Remember to remove all the seeds from your pumpkin before composting to prevent surprise pumpkin plants from sprouting in your compost bin!
Source: FOOD52, Food Waste in Hawai‘i