Beyond the jack-o-lantern: A handful of clever uses for pumpkins

October 8, 12:06 PMGreen Living ExaminerRebecca Lacko

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More than just a funny face: A handful of clever uses
for pumpkins.

One of the very best Halloween traditions includes digging out the icky, stringy, ooey guts of a pumpkin and creating a funny, happy or terrifying visage to greet trick-or-treaters on your front step on All Hallow's Eve.

Along with Mommysaver's Kimberly Danger, here are some fun ideas for Recycling Your Halloween Pumpkin! 

1. Make Baby Food. Halve and roast your pumpkin, then scoop out the flesh. Mash well with a fork. (Begin with an organic pumpkin, of course!)
2. Use it as a Harvest Planter. For pumpkins that were painted instead of carved, scoop out the inside membrane and clean. Fill with a little water and use as a vase. Fill the vase with natural twigs, grasses, and harvest mums for a beautiful autumn centerpiece.
3. Make a Pumpkin Bowl. Scoop out the inside membrane and clean. A typical pumpkin holds up to a gallon of soup or an entire casserole and adds flavor, too. Smaller pumpkins can be used for individual-sized bowls.
4. Make Pumpkin Puree. Pumpkin puree is the basis for many great bakery goodies. It will stay fresh in your freezer for months. Cut pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds. Chop into big chunks and place in a baking pan peel side down. Cover with foil. Bake 2-3 hours at 350 degrees. Remove from oven, scoop the pulp out of the peel. Puree in a food processor to reduce stringiness. Freeze excess pumpkin puree for later use. (See Kimberly’s website for recipes for Pumpkin pudding and pumpkin bread, using your fresh puree!)
5. Roast the seeds! Did you know roasted pumpkin seeds are rich in fiber as awell as vitamin B and E? Try thesae amazing flavor combinations from UnassumingFoodie.com:

• Italian Style Pumpkin Seeds: Italian Seasoning Blend, Parmesan Cheese, Olive Oil, Salt and Pepper
• Pumpkin Pie Pumpkin Seeds: Cinnamon, Ground Ginger and Pinch of Nutmeg, Butter
• Greek Style: Lemon Pepper Seasoning Blend, Oregano, Salt, Olive Oil
• Buffalo Wings Pumpkin Seeds: Butter, Tabasco Sauce, Salt