Pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin everything; it’s pumpkin season! I’ve been scrolling through Pinterest all day trying to find the perfect pumpkin carving idea. But what happens after I’ve sculpted my masterpiece and admired it in all its glory? Sadly, it might end up in a landfill, joining the 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins wasted every year: that’s over 80% of those bought for the holiday. That’s the real horror of Halloween. That realization hit me one spooky night after Halloween. My beautiful constellation pumpkin, painted black, was no longer edible and started to rot from the inside. As I sadly admired my creation one last time, I put on gloves and tossed it into a menacing garbage bag. I couldn’t help but wonder how many other people were throwing out their pumpkins the same way.
That’s why I come to you with ways to use your pumpkin after today is over and the daunting post-Halloween cleanup begins. To start, I recommend not painting your pumpkin; leaving your pumpkin unpainted gives you more ways to reuse it later. If you really want to paint it, try using eco-friendly, biodegradable paints instead. Also, carving your pumpkin just a few days before Halloween makes it easier to reuse afterward. Let’s say you left your many pumpkins on the stairs outside or on your dorm windowsill. At that point, you might not want to eat it since it’s been out for a few days, especially if it’s starting to rot. But, you can still compost it by bringing your food scraps to one of Hoboken’s food waste drop-off sites, like Elysian Park.
One fun way to use your pumpkin is to carve a large circle at the bottom to fit your head, and then carve out eyes, a nose, and a mouth. Ta-da, you’ve got yourself a pumpkin mask, now grab friends and do a pumpkin mask photoshoot! My favorite way to use a pumpkin is to turn it into delicious baked goods to share with friends or family. You can easily whip up a batch of pumpkin cinnamon bread or a pumpkin pie if your pumpkin is still fresh. If you never carved your pumpkin, it can last up to 12 weeks, which means you can save it for Thanksgiving meals.
If you are a fan of pumpkin spice lattes, you can start by making your own pumpkin puree by roasting your pumpkin until tender, blending it, and there you have it, pumpkin puree that is multipurpose. I think you can even make pumpkin cocktails using the puree, well, mocktails. As for the pumpkin seeds that many people unfortunately scoop out and throw away, they are super nutritious with protein, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. You can eat pumpkin seeds without their shells, so please don’t throw them away! Clean them, roast them, and season them, then add them to soups, salads, or even bread.
Last but not least, if your expertise does not lie in the kitchen, that is perfectly fine. Definitely make a cute jack-o’-lantern instead. Just find an inspirational photo, and make it a fun group activity with friends. It’s perfect for dorm decor, and even if Halloween has passed, it’s okay to keep the spirit going a little while longer. Just remember to dispose of your pumpkins responsibly, since throwing them in landfills causes them to release methane, a greenhouse gas. Instead, try composting or reusing them in creative ways to extend their life and reduce waste. Have a wonderful Halloween, Ducks, and do your part to keep those pumpkins out of the landfill.
