This year make a no-waste green Jack-O-Lantern with paint pens

October 25, 1:18 AMGreen Living ExaminerAmy Lou Jenkins

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Six-month-old Airelle McDonald in a pumpkin costume at Saunders Farm in Munster, Ontario.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Pawel Dwulit)

Rotting Jack O Lanterns may not be a major factor in global warming, but if you are going to buy pumpkins, why not eat them after they are used as decorations.  Use nontoxic paints or paint pens and draw and color funny or scary faces.  Keep your pumpkin intact and you will have some tasty rewards: pumpkin seeds for roasting, and pumpkin meat for soup, pie, and bread.  See video below for details on one type of painting .

Since you did not cut the pumpkin, you can still use it for delicious baking.  Some of the best eating pumpkins are the Cinderella type--they look like the coach in Disney's Cinderella.  I've even used the regular pumpkins

When Halloween has ended and my pumpkins are still fresh with no signs of decay, I peal off the paint  and cut the pumpkins into chunks.  I and  throw all the seeds into a colanders as I go.    

Be sure that no paint remains on the pumpkin rind. 

Now you have seeds ready for roasting and pumpkin ready for baking to use in your favorite recipe.  

Also of interest: 

Green Living 101: How do I roast pumpkin seeds? 

Green Living 101: How do I cook with a real pumpkin?

Info 101: Make your own Green Halloween Costume

Green Halloween initiative

Children's contest--win Halloween prizes