It is incredible how many pumpkins are wasted in the wake of Halloween every year in the UK.
According to an article 42 per cent of British people buy pumpkins for this holiday and over 18,000 tons of edible pumpkin is thrown away.
However, this plant has many nutritious benefits due to vitamins A, C, E and fibers.
Most of the people who do throw the pumpkins away simply don’t know how to use them in a in another way.
Besides the famous ‘Jack-o’-Lanterns’, here are 10 alternatives for using this amazing plant and avoiding waste.
1.Pumpkin pie
Nothing compares to a delicious slice of pumpkin pie. The classic American pie became popular all over the world and it might be an ideal dessert for this season, especially if you don’t want to waste pumpkins. Here you can find an amazing and easy recipe:
2.Pumpkin soup
Pumpkin soup can be another good choice. It’s easy to make and I can tell you that it’s very tasty as well. Chloe Walker has a great recipe on her Instagram page:
You can find all the steps on her profile, where she posts many other affordable recipes that are perfect for students and those of you who are on a budget.
3. Pumpkin and nutmeg face mask
Did you know that pumpkin can have ‘magical’ effects on your face? Whenever you want to relax at home, you can try this pumpkin and nutmeg mask which is known for its brightening effect.
How to guide:
In an empty bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of fresh pumpkin puree with a teaspoon of raw honey. Add ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg powder to this mixture and mix well.Add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and blend all the ingredients until you achieve a semi-thick consistency.Apply this mask to freshly cleansed skin and leave it on for 20 minutes.
4.Donate your pumpkin to the squirrels
A few people know that squirrels love eating pumpkin. If you’ve finished with yours then pop it somewhere the furry little chaps can feast. There are a lot of squirrels around the parks, especially in the autumn.
5.Pumpkin ice cream
Ice cream is probably one of the best things in the world, especially when you can enjoy a variety of flavors. For those people who love pumpkin this is a unique ice cream recipe which is ready in less than 20 minutes.
6.Pumpkin pancakes
Ginger, cinnamon and allspice give this pumpkin pancake recipe just a hint of sweetness, making it the perfect for breakfast.
7.Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are packed with vitamins and minerals and they are a great source of fibre. Plus, this way you can save money and don’t need to buy a packet of ready-prepared pumpkin seeds. Roast them and they can be very useful for making autumnal snacks, salads and bakes. Here you can find some tips:
8.Pumpkin latte
Get cozy with this wonderful spiced pumpkin latte. This spicy and frothy hot drink is so simple to make at home, it’s the perfect drink to snuggle up to and works with both espresso and instant coffee. Tesco has a lovely recipe here:
9.Pumpkin-spice scented candles
It seems like these candles have the fall’s signature scent and when poured into tinted orange mason jars, they’re also given an especially autumnal glow. I found these very easy DIY instructions for you:
10.Pumpkin bread
I have never tried pumpkin bread, but it is quite popular this season and children love it. The recipe is simple and, after one hour, you’ll have a house smelling of sweet autumn and two pumpkin loaves. You can find all the steps for making the best pumpkin bread here:
Your article convinced me that this weekend I will prepare pumpkin pie and share it with friends.