The nutritional and health advantages of pumpkins are incredible, however the “guts” of a pumpkin is often go to waste. Be sure to keep an empty bowl on your table while cutting your pumpkin. This will allow you to scoop all of the flesh, and also prevent the structure from bending.
There are four parts to a pumpkin. Each of them is edible.
- The outer skin/peel
- The seeds
- The hard flesh of the orange
- the stringy, wet pulp
The hard, yellowish orange flesh of a pumpkin may be the most versatile part which can be boiled or roasted and eaten as a vegetable side dish, it can be put into smoothies, soups, and even in the infamous pumpkin pie. It’s been eaten raw by some, however I doubt we would eat that much. The best option to use the tough flesh and soft pulp of a pumpkin is to cook it together in a pot, either by boiling the addition of water or roasting to give it a more woody, rich flavor, then blending it into a pumpkin puree. You can either use this immediately, as in the recipe below, or you can freeze it (ice cube tray is a great option to use for this). Puree of pumpkin can be used in so many ways that you will think about how you survived without it.
Pumpkin puree can be used for:
- Hummus with pumpkin
- Pumpkin pancakes
- Pumpkin spread
- Pumpkin pesto
- Pumpkin muffins
- Pumpkin risotto
- Pumpkin spice latte
The possibilities are endless. You can pretty much use pumpkin puree in any recipe; simply let your imagination go free!
Roasted pumpkin seeds are by far our favorite snack during the autumn season and they are so easy to prepare. First, take the seeds of the pumpkin. Next, rinse the seeds with cold water to rid them of the stringy flesh. Place the seeds on a baking tray and cover them with a layer oil. After that, you’ll need to decide if you want sweet or savoury seeds. We love sweet pumpkin seeds that have been coated with a mix of brown sugar and cinnamon however, you can try chilli flakes, sea salt, curry powder…the decision is yours. After the seeds have been coated with the flavour and oil mix, bake them for 10 minutes at 180°C/350°F/Gas 4. Allow to cool and then put them in an airtight jar. The seeds taste great on their own or they can be sprinkled on porridge, salads and risottos or desserts.
The only thing left to do is to peel it off. What do you think you can make of this leathery-like hard skin? Turn it into pickle of course! Pumpkin skin pickle is a fantastic way of using up the pumpkin’s skin that quite often gets neglected. It’s a fantastic accompaniment to Indian dishes or to add the bite to sandwiches and salads.
Recycle it!
It’s a few days after Halloween and you’ve accomplished all you can with your pumpkin, but it’s beginning to appear a bit shabby and if you don’t eliminate it as soon as possible, you’re going to have pest control all over your back. It’s surely time for the bin?
STOP RIGHT HERE!
Since, no, there are plenty of things you can do with your pumpkin, even though it is beginning to decay. Instead of throwing your pumpkin in the bin and putting it in the compost. It may have started to rot however it’s extremely nutritious and will do wonders for your garden. Just make sure you remove any spilt candle wax because it will not be broken down. Also, take out any pumpkin seeds that are stray or else your compost pile could end up looking like a pumpkin patch come next year!
You can also assist feathered friends by making your pumpkin a bird feeder. As winter approaches, birds need as much help as they can get when it comes to finding food. Because larger pumpkins are too heavy to hang, this works well for smaller ones. Simply tie some string to the four sides of the pumpkin. Then, you can put in a few twigs as perches and either hang as it is or fill it with bird seed or homemade fat balls.
It is possible to save the seeds for planting next year, if you are able to keep from eating the entire amount. After washing and taking out all the flesh, dry them thoroughly and keep them in a dry, dark place until you are ready to plant them. Pumpkins prefer warmer temperatures so it is not recommended to plant the seeds until May or April. It is recommended to plant seeds in pots and kept indoors, until temperatures rise and the plants have started to grow. Then transfer outside in an open area with adequate drainage.
Tips for beauty and pumpkins.
Pumpkins aren’t just beneficial to our bodies, but they can also make an outstanding difference to the way we appear. Vitamins C, A, and E, as well as the zinc that is found in pumpkins are excellent for the skin and can leave your complexion positively glowing. Mix brown sugar and a splash of milk to a bowl of pumpkin puree and then apply generously on your face. Relax, sit back and let the nutrition from the facemask infused with pumpkin absorb into your skin. Narine Nikogosian is a L.A.-based dermatologist and writer. Her clients include Jessica Alba and Charlize Thon. The pumpkin is also rich in beta-carotene and antioxidants, which can fight harmful free radicals, and keep skin healthy and youthful. The seeds of pumpkin, specifically, are having their time in the spotlight for beauty; being called ‘the new coconut oil’. The pumpkin seed oil can be applied to hair to strengthen it, increase hair growth, hydrate hair follicles and leave your locks looking shiny and lustrous. As for a deep conditioning treatment you can make a the puree of pumpkin with lemon, honey, and pumpkin seed oil. Be sure to rinse it off well. Otherwise your hair will smell like soup.
Why is pumpkin so good for us?
The colour of pumpkin is an important clue as to the reason it is so healthy. Fruit and vegetables that are of the orange variety contain a form of carotene, which in a pumpkins case is beta-carotene and alpha-carotene. These two antioxidants are amazing which play an important role in keeping our bodies healthy. Carotene helps protect our eyes, boost our immune system, makes our skin radiant and has even been found to prevent heart disease as well as cancer, and numerous signs of ageing.
The daily recommended amount of dietary fibre for adults is 18g. just 250g of pumpkin can give you 3g towards that figure. The fiber content high in pumpkins aids digestion, reduces bad cholesterol, controls blood sugar levels and may aid weight loss. If you’re looking to lose weight, make sure you stock up on fresh pumpkins, as by its very nature pumpkin is low in calories and fat 250g of pumpkin contains only 49 calories (about the same amount as an apple).
Take a look at this list of all the goodness found in a pumpkin:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Iron
That’s not even the flesh, pumpkin seeds have many health benefits of their own. The seeds of the pumpkin are a good source of tryptophan, an amino acid that is converted by the body into serotonin , which is then converted into melatonin, which is the so-called sleep hormone. If you are having trouble getting into a good sleep taking a handful of pumpkin seeds before bed will aid in getting sleep. They have also been proven to make a significant difference in the symptoms of menopausal. Lorna Driver-Davies is a nutritionist at NutriCentre says, ‘Pumpkin seed oil is high in polyunsaturated fatty acid omega 6, which is beneficial for the skin and for hormone support in women’. The natural phytoestrogens in pumpkin seeds can reduce hot flushes, headaches and joint pains that many women experiencing menopause experience. It’s easy to notice that pumpkin seeds are packed with 30g of protein, 11% daily iron, and have no cholesterol. They are nutritious, tasty and ought to be a part of the diet of a balanced woman.
So, there you have it, absolutely loads of ideas to stop your Halloween pumpkin from going to be a waste. It also has the bonus of treating your lawn, your face and hair, and even your stomach an indulgence.
