Think beyond the pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice latte. Pumpkins offer so much more than just a seasonal flavor. You can make use of every part of a pumpkin, even down to the stems.
Carving pumpkins is only half the fun. There are so many other ways to use pumpkins than making jack-o-lanterns. The seeds, the flesh and even the outer rind are all useful. By following this simple guide, you can stop food waste and learn the best way to use every single part of the pumpkin.
Pumpkin rind or peels
Let’s start with the outside of the pumpkin. This is one of the most versatile parts of the plant. There are many different ingredient swaps and ways to use the tough outer peel, from dog treats to soup and vegetable stock.
Pumpkin skin chips
The easiest way to use pumpkin skin or peel is to make crispy chips. All you need is a baking tray, oven or air fryer.
Peel the pumpkin and cut the peel into bite-sized pieces. Then, toss the pumpkin peel in some olive oil and salt. Spread them out on a baking tray and either bake or air fry them at 355 F for 15-20 minutes.
Soup
Making pumpkin soup is a pretty popular way to cook with pumpkin puree. In fact, pumpkin SunButter soup is full of nutty and sweet flavors that are a perfect fall treat.
Cut the pumpkin peel into small pieces as you cook the soup, and let it cook with the rest of the ingredients. Puree it with an immersion blender or food processor when it’s nice and soft. The pumpkin peel will give the soup more fiber and flavor.
Dog treats
Pumpkin can also be an all-natural treat for your furry friend. When the peels are dehydrated, they become chewy, which is fantastic for dogs that love to gnaw on things.
The process couldn’t be easier. Peel the pumpkin into large pieces, leaving some flesh on them too. Lay them out on a baking tray, skin side down. Don’t add salt because dogs need unsalted treats. Then, bake them at 375 F for about 30-45 minutes.
Potpourri or simmer pots
Fill your home with classic fall scents. To do this, add pumpkin peel to either a simmer pot on the stove or dry the peel and mix it into tabletop potpourri.
The easiest option is a simmer pot. Fill a pot with water. Add cloves, cinnamon sticks, apples and pumpkin peels. Bring it to a low boil, then turn down the heat to lightly simmer. As it simmers, the aromas will fill the air.
Dried potpourri is another easy option, too. Fill a jar or mesh bag with a combination of ingredients, such as:
- Rosemary or sage.
- Cinnamon sticks or clove.
- Dried apple slices.
- Dried orange peel.
- Pine cones.
- Dried pumpkin skins.
Then, toss them with your favorite essential oil. The best ones are woodsy, like cinnamon, orange or fir.
Vegetable stock
This is one of the best ways to minimize food waste. Add all the peels and stem parts of vegetables to a pot of water. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer for about an hour. Then, strain the broth and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Pumpkin flesh
The pumpkin flesh is the most well-known part of the pumpkin for cooking or baking. Whenever people think about cooking pumpkin, their minds instantly go to things like pies and cakes — and those recipes use pumpkin puree. Here are some of the tastiest — and easiest — ways to use pumpkin puree.
Pancakes
Enjoy the flavors of fall for breakfast. Pumpkin pancakes are bursting with cinnamon, spice and everything nice.
Cheesecake
Everyone loves pumpkin pie, but making pumpkin cheesecake takes it to a whole new level. Combining pumpkin puree with cream cheese, sugar and spices transforms the cheesecake into the ultimate fall treat.
Salad
Roast some pumpkin slices, but don’t puree them. Roasted pumpkin looks and tastes incredible on top of a fall salad. Then, drizzle it with a vinaigrette, and the salad is ready to eat.
Cake
Add pumpkin puree to whatever you’re baking for cakes, cookies and brownies. “We scoop out the pumpkin flesh to turn into pumpkin puree,” states Sarita Harbour from An Off Grid Life, “then freeze it for use in baking and cooking.”
Freeze it and save it to use in all sorts of baked goods. Pumpkin muffins and pumpkin cake are the most popular options. Brownies, cookies and cupcakes are great ways to use the puree.
Pumpkin seeds
As you carve your pumpkin, keep the seeds. They are delightfully crunchy and make a super simple snack. But what are some other ways to use pumpkin seeds? They taste perfect on top of a salad or baked into crackers.
Seed crackers
Add pumpkin seeds to homemade seed crackers. They add texture, flavor and nutrition, and give the crackers the best little crunch. These crackers taste delicious by themselves. Or top them with some cream cheese and fresh herbs for a fancy appetizer.
Roasted seeds
The most popular way to use pumpkin seeds is to season, roast and eat them as a snack. A handful of pumpkin seeds is the perfect little snack, especially for anyone who enjoys sunflower seeds or pistachios.
Flavor them in a variety of different ways. Make them sweet with some cinnamon and sugar. Toss them in pepper for spicy seeds. Or coat them in salt to keep things simple.
Salad topping
Sprinkling roasted pumpkin seeds on top of a salad is another way to use and enjoy them. Match the flavor of the seeds to the type of salad you’re eating. For example, a cinnamon-roasted seed is perfect for eating a fall salad.
Pumpkin stem
What about the pumpkin stem? Since it’s basically wood, it’s not edible. So, what can you do with it? There are two ways to use the pumpkin stem. Compost them or craft with them.
Compost
Composting non-edible parts of plants, like stems, creates nutrient-rich soil. Then, this soil is ready for use in herb or container gardens, all set to grow almost anything.
Crafts
There are a lot of home decor and fun crafts you can make with the stems, too. Cut and dry the stem and then use it as the stem in a fake pumpkin. It will last for years. Or use it as a stamp for painting. The stem also makes the perfect tree trunk for DIY home decor trees.
Use the entire pumpkin
Say goodbye to food waste. Don’t just carve a pumpkin for Halloween and then throw it away. Use the entire pumpkin in many different ways, whether for cooking or decorating.
The peel, seeds and flesh are all edible. Make savory crackers or sweet cheesecakes with them. The peels and stems are perfect for the compost bin, adding nutrients to the soil. No matter what you choose, there is something fun and delicious you can make with every single part of the pumpkin. It just takes a little creativity.
Sara Nelson is the creator of Real Balanced, a food blog that showcases easy and balanced recipes. Since 2017, she has shared these recipes with thousands of blog readers and social media followers. Sara lives in Wisconsin with her family.