Whether it is for ushering in the fall season or because of all the Halloween festivities, in the US alone about 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins end up in landfills every year. These fruits (yes, pumpkins are fruits… another story for another day!) take about 20 years to fully decompose in landfill, while it only takes 8-12 weeks for it to start decomposing in your magical compost bin. So while we can simply say, compost those pumpkins, there are other more creative ways you can reuse and fully utilize it instead of throwing it away.
Pumpkin skin – broil, roast or air-fry into crisps! While usually discarded, pumpkin skin is in fact high in fiber and contains vitamins A, C, E, potassium, manganese, thiamin, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, and niacin. So think twice before throwing those peels away next time.
Pumpkin seeds – clean, dry and roast! These seeds makes for a nice nutritious salad or soup topping. Mix in with other nuts, grains and dried fruit for some home-made granola or throw in your favorite fall treats for the perfect trail mix snack.
Pumpkin flesh – roast and puree for a hearty pumpkin soup. Don’t forget to add a bunch of warming herbs and spices that can help keep your body warm this chilly season. Want a perfect sweet-savory snack? The more ripe the flesh is, the easier it is to puree into pumpkin treats not limited to – pies, cupcakes, cookies, drinks.
Pumpkin stem – stems are tricky because they are hard and might seem to be of no use, but you can easily detach these stems. Preserve them in a dry, cool place for future fall decors. Now, that’s what you call future-planning!
Others:
Donate – not surprisingly a bunch of local organizations (soup kitchens, local farms, zoos) accept pumpkin donations for their own repurposing requirements. Check-in with them and drop-off accordingly. Better yet, volunteer a few hours of your time, they will surely appreciate it.
There are so many ways to avoid waste and diverting items out of the landfills, so think before you throw! Do your research and follow @humbleearthinitiative on IG for everyday eco-content you never thought you needed. Stay humble!
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