Picking up your pumpkin this week?

Whether you’re getting yours at the supermarket or going the more scenic route to a local pumpkin patch, chances are we’ll all be knee-deep—or at least elbow-deep, in pumpkin pulp over the next few days as we set about carving our jack-o’-lanterns.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of pumpkins are bought, carved and set out on display, but for the most part, no one really knows what to do with the rest of it. 

It’s the age-old autumnal question: What do you do with all the orange, slimy, seed-filled strings once you’ve scooped them out of your pumpkin?

As it turns out, your leftover pumpkin pulp has plenty of great (and nutritional) uses—especially when you consider just how healthy pumpkin is.

Here are just a few benefits of adding pumpkin and pumpkin seeds to your diet:

Boost immunity: Pumpkins are high in vitamin A, which not only gives pumpkins their orange colour but is also a vital nutrient that helps give our immunity a boost.

Improve eye health: In a study of over 100,000 individuals followed for 35 years, those who ate a higher-carotenoid diet lowered their risk of advanced eye disease by at least 25 percent.

An antioxidants boost: Pumpkin seeds are full of antioxidants, which can protect your cells and reduce inflammation.

High in magnesium: Pumpkin seeds are a great source of magnesium, which aids heart and bone health, as well as blood sugar levels and blood pressure.

For those struggling with insomnia, magnesium also helps us relax and promises better sleep.

Sounds like you want to get carving—and hold onto that pumpkin pulp? Here are just three easy ways you can upcycle your leftovers this Halloween:

1.    Use for food (as it actually is food)

Pumpkin pulp has a ton of delicious uses, each more tempting—and perfectly seasonal, than the next.

Turn all that leftover pumpkin pulp into pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin bread, pumpkin risotto, pumpkin granola, pumpkin porridge, pumpkin smoothies, pumpkin soup, pumpkin spice mix, or even pumpkin houmous.

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Not only will it taste great, but pumpkins also pack a real nutritional punch, so it’s a win-win for both your health—and your commitment to reducing food waste!

2.    Make a body scrub

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Not just for eating, but as it turns out, pumpkin can up our skincare game too.

In fact, pumpkin pulp is chock-a-block with vitamins and goodness for your skin and body. So why not turn your pumpkin guts into a gorgeous body scrub that will slough away dead skin and leave your skin feeling utterly rejuvenated?

Carved your pumpkin and got a bowl full of pumpkin pulp? Head to the kitchen and mix up that nutrient-rich, raw pumpkin with some coarse sugar or salt—or even coffee grounds.

Then just add a bit of vegan honey and sweet almond oil for a body scrub that packs a punch (and leaves you smelling like a pumpkin spice latte all day too!).

3.    Roast the seeds for a healthy snack

Pumpkin seeds are essentially nutritional powerhouses wrapped up in a very small package, containing nutrients ranging from magnesium and manganese to copper, protein and zinc.

As well as all that, these little seeds contain a wide array of beneficial plant compounds known as phytosterols and free-radical scavenging antioxidants, which can give your health an added boost.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy pumpkin seeds (they’re delicious in granola, for instance), but we particularly love them roasted with some spices and added to salads for a bit of extra crunch.

As you carve your pumpkin this Halloween, remember that its value extends far beyond being just a spooky decoration. From delicious recipes to DIY skincare and wholesome snacks, there are countless ways to make the most of every part of your pumpkin. Embrace the season sustainably by upcycling the pulp and seeds—your body, taste buds and the planet will thank you! Happy carving and even happier repurposing!

If you enjoy our articles and want to read more of our content, check out clean, green and cruelty-free: Ireland is leading the way with vegan beauty. Perhaps take a look at running on plants: Harvey Lewis on ultra endurance, veganism and inspiring change. Or explore Duvet Hog: The bedding of your dreams is vegan.