By Debra Maslowski
Wondering what to do with old pumpkins after Halloween? You’ve come to the right place! Here are 15 creative ways to make them useful again.
Halloween has come and gone and fall is here for a bit longer. But what should we do with all those pumpkins? We have you covered!
I turn mine around and use them for fall decorations until they are no longer usable. And there are many other uses for them. Let’s take a look at 15 of my favorite ways to use them up.
Use Pumpkins After Halloween!
I get a lot of use out of many things that I have around the house. Jack-o’-lanterns are no exception. Check out these creative ideas!
Note: be sure not to use any rotten pumpkin in the food preparations listed below!
Animals
Abby, my goat, and all my chickens, love pumpkins. They can make short work of several in record time. Not only do these orange gourds supplement the feed, but they also provide nutrients like vitamins A and C, fiber and the seeds act as a natural wormer.
Chips
Dehydrate thinly sliced pumpkin after Halloween for a fruit leather type of treat. Take it a bit further and dry until crisp. Sprinkle with cinnamon, cayenne, and nutmeg for a different taste.
Pumpkin Butter
Cook the flesh down, strain, and add some brown sugar and cinnamon. This is great on toast or English muffins.
Planter
Add some soil and plant some fall flowers in your pumpkin after Halloween. They won’t last too long but make a nice fall porch design. This is one of my favorite ways to use them!
Vase
Place a glass of water inside and add some cut flowers. Like the planter, they won’t last long, but they will brighten up and table for a while.
Bird feeder
Cut in half and add some sunflower seeds. The birds will thank you!
Bird Water
Again, this won’t last long, but after Halloween cut half a pumpkin and fill it with water. Yes, it will only last a few days but the birds will even end up eating it in the end.
Skin Care
There are a great many skin care recipes that use pumpkin. Like this one!
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Who doesn’t love the roasted seeds with a little salt? Be creative and try Tamari or spiced sugar for something different.
Ale, Mead, or Beer
Pumpkin adds so much flavor to your fall brews. The natural sugars help to make mead especially fun.
Save the Seeds
Dry the seeds after Halloween, store them and plant again next year. Don’t forget the label!
Pumpkin Latte
C’mon, who doesn’t love a hot pumpkin spice latte even after Halloween, when it’s cold out?
Serving Bowls
My Grandmother used to make a mixed veggie and rice dish every fall that she cooked right in the pumpkin. It added so much flavor!
Pasta
You can make pasta with almost anything. Pumpkin is no exception.
Dog Biscuits
I make a lot of my own dog treats. And old jack-o’-lanterns can be used to make great treats! Also, it’s good for your pup!
As you can see, there are a lot more than 15 ways to use pumpkins after Halloween. What are your favorites?
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