How to Guide: Make the Most of Your Pumpkin Post Halloween

PORTLAND, OR - Whether you're scooping out 'pumpkin guts' for a serving bowl, stirring seeds into a pumpkin smoothie, or simply looking for the proper way to dispose of the orange gourd post-holiday, the potential of the pumpkin is endless.

Eat it.

• Pumpkin lasagna. While the traditional pumpkin fare typically comes in the form of a spiced latte or a pie, re purpose it for a heartier fall entree this season. The recipe, courtesy of Taste of Home, calls for:
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half cream
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage leaves
  • 9 no-cook lasagna noodles
  • 1 cup reduced-fat ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese.
• Pumpkin pie protein smoothie. Check out this recipe for a healthy, vegan option courtesy of Nutritionist in the Kitch. A far cry from the decadence of a traditional pumpkin pie, this smoothie has a crunch to it-the recipe calls for adding seeds directly to the mixture.
• Pumpkin pancakes. Try a sweet and savory breakfast pastry that requires only a few additional ingredients. Check out this recipe courtesy of All Recipe. In total, the pancakes only take 40 minutes from start to finish.

Decorate it.

• Turn your pumpkin into a planter. You've already done the work to get that orange gourd hollowed-out, why not turn it into a DIY pot for your plants? Check out a few options via the Garden Lovers Blog. Once the pumpkin deteriorates completely, the plant is easily transferable to a traditional ceramic planter.
• Make a pumpkin bird feeder. Set up a sweet feeding tool for the birds in your neighborhood and turn your back yard into a haven for local birds. Martha Stewart has a step-by-step guide that requires few materials. Simply:
  • Cut a 3 - 5 pound pumpkin in half;
  • Scoop out, leaving a 1/2 inch thick wall
  • Cut a 1/2 inch thick deep groove in the rim for pumpkin seeds
  • For perches, poke holes and insert twigs
  • Knot 2 lengths of twine together, tack to the bottom of the feeder
  • Fill with birdseed

Trash it.

No one wants to be that house with the slowly rotting Jack-O-Lantern on their front porch until Christmas. When the time comes to rid yourself of whatever remains of your pumpkin, simply enter the zip code for your neighborhood in the garbage disposal schedule provided by the City of Portland and take the guesswork out of garbage.

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