The part of the pumpkin you scrape out when making jack-o-lanterns has many uses.
Pumpkin carving can be a lot of fun, but much of the pumpkin can go to waste if you're not creative. The flesh is often used to make a puree for a pie or some other treat, but you may wonder what to do with the stringy pumpkin guts. When carving a pumpkin for Halloween, don't throw out the pumpkin guts; put them to some unexpected uses around the house.
Roast the Pumpkin Seeds
Roasted pumpkin seeds are a healthy, low-calorie snack.
You can roast the pumpkin seeds for a healthy autumn snack. Pumpkin seeds are high in a number of vitamins and minerals and low on calories. To roast, start by rinsing all the stringy goo off the seeds with warm water and let them dry out on paper towels for an hour. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, toss the seeds with a little bit of melted butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt and sugar in a small bowl. Place the coated seeds, separated, on a cookie sheet. Let them roast for an hour, or until slightly brown and aromatic. Open the oven and stir the seeds with a spatula or wooden spoon regularly while roasting to prevent sticking or burning.
Feed it to Your Pets
A moderate amount of pumpkin guts is a healthy treat for pets.
Animals love pumpkin guts, and you don't have to do any cooking to make them edible for pets. The vitamins and minerals that make pumpkins good for us are good for them too. Dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs are the heartiest pumpkin eaters. Use moderation, though, because pumpkin can work like a laxative for some animals.
Bake Pumpkin Gut Bread
Substitute pumpkin guts for grated zucchini in a quick bread recipe.
Pumpkin guts have a very similar consistency to grated zucchini, and can be substituted for zucchini in a quick bread recipe with excellent results. The traditional ingredients of zucchini bread, such as cinnamon and chopped walnuts, work well with the pumpkin flavor. Keep in mind that pumpkin guts have a slightly stronger flavor than pumpkin puree. Remove the guts from the pumpkin, and separate all the seeds out with a fork. You can then roast the seeds, and substitute the pumpkin guts in your favorite zucchini bread recipe.
Mix Up a Beauty Treatment
Make a pumpkin scrub for use in the shower.
Pumpkins are rich in vitamins A, C and E, which all contribute to healthy skin. You can make a pumpkin body scrub using the guts of your carved pumpkin. Puree the stringy part of the pumpkin in a food processor. Grind up plain roasted pumpkin seeds using a coffee grinder. Slowly incorporate both ingredients in a medium bowl, alternating puree and ground pumpkin seeds, until you get the desired texture. Add coarse sea salt if there are not enough seeds to make a good exfoliator. Keep in a tightly sealed glass jar in your fridge, and use in your next shower. Or, if you don't mind being sticky, just use the puree as a face mask, letting it soak into your clean skin for 15 minutes before rinsing it off.
Tags: pumpkin guts, seeds with, bread recipe, guts have, pumpkin seeds, grated zucchini