Last year, we talked about what you can do with leftover pumpkin that you might have laying around the house after Halloween or Thanksgiving. But this year, we really want to emphasize how versatile the pumpkin really is. In fact, almost every single part of the pumpkin is edible – excluding the stem, and you wouldn’t want to bite into that anyway.
Pumpkins are pretty prevalent in the States during the holidays; they aren’t terribly expensive; and they’re surprisingly nutritious. Pumpkins offer a low-calorie and low-fat snack that’s high in Vitamin A and potassium, and they’re also an incredibly underrated Fall food. So this year, if you really want to get into the Thanksgiving spirit, here’s how to eat a pumpkin from skin to flesh.
How to Eat a Pumpkin
The first step on your way to pumpkin eating bliss is to cut off the top and scoop out the seeds. This process is largely the same process you’d take when you’re scooping out a pumpkin in order to make a jack-o-lantern. The seeds are often thrown out by people not in the know, but in reality, they make an awesome (and healthy!) snack when they’re roasted. Treat them to a quick brush of olive oil and roast them in the oven for a fun crunchy snack that’s perfect for after-school for the kids. Or, after you roast them, mix them in with raisins and M&Ms for a fun twist on trail mix.
Next, you’re going to scoop out the interior flesh of the pumpkin. In this case, the term “flesh” refers to the inside “meat” of the pumpkin. This flesh can be pureed into a paste as used as a base for a pumpkin flavored pasta sauce. It can be cut into cubes and roasted (just like you’d do for a squash) and used in a million different other ways. Try some of our innovative recipes for pumpkin flesh here. You can also find some more ideas on how to eat a pumpkin here.
Finally, you’re left with the skin. This is probably the least talked about part of the pumpkin, but it’s actually a great ingredient for turning into healthy pumpkin chips. Use a potato peeler to peel off the exterior skin on the pumpkin. If you have a dehydrator, you can use that to dehydrate the skin peelings and create crispy chips out of the pumpkin that way. Or, you can simply coat them with a light spray of olive oil and bake them until they’re crispy. Either way, it’s a great way to eat pumpkin and minimize your food waste at the same time.
Do you have a favorite use for pumpkin that’s not as standard as a pumpkin pie? Share your ideas and recipes with us below!
