6 Things to Do With Pumpkin Guts Instead of Tossing Them

Did you know you can turn your jack-o'-lantern into a jack of all trades? You don't need to toss your pumpkin guts into the trash or the compost pile. If you have a bowl full of stringy orange bits after carving your jack-o'-lantern and you're wondering what to do with the pumpkin guts, they're more useful than you think. So get creative with your pumpkin guts with these useful (and delicious) ideas. 

Transform those stringy guts that look and feel like orange seaweed with just a touch of Halloween magic (your blender) into a homemade potion (pumpkin puree). Grab your cauldron! 

Instructions

• 2-3 cups pumpkin guts without seeds
• Water

Ingredients

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Add pumpkin guts to a rimmed baking sheet or baking dish.
3. Add just enough water to cover them.
4. Bake for approximately 60 minutes, or until soft.
5. Puree until smooth in food processor or blender. 
6. Store in the refrigerator for approximately one week or freeze in cubes and use as needed. 

The same way you'd make chicken broth or vegetable broth from scratch, you can whip up some pumpkin broth. You can use this in place of other broths when you want soup with an earthy vibe. 

Instructions

• 1-3 cups pumpkin guts without seeds
• ¼ white onion, peeled and sliced
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• Approximately 2 cups water

Ingredients

1. In a medium to large pot, add pumpkin guts, onion, carrots, and celery.
2. Add water, just enough to cover the ingredients.
3. Over medium to high heat, bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to low and simmer for approximately 45 minutes. 
5. Strain out vegetables.
6. Filter into a container with a lid.
7. Refrigerate up to six months or freeze into cubes and use as needed. 

You can infuse pumpkin flavor into just about any booze using pumpkin guts. And having your own homemade pumpkin infusion on hand means you can enjoy pumpkin cocktails year round, not just when you have remnants of pumpkin carvings scattered across your kitchen. 

Instructions

• 1 cup pumpkin guts without seeds
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ½ cinnamon stick
• ½ tablespoon cloves
• 2 cups vodka

Ingredients

1. In a small to medium saucepan, add pumpkin guts, brown sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, and vodka.
2. Allow to simmer for approximately 20 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
4. Pour the entire mix into a resealable container.
5. Seal and store in the fridge for approximately three days.
6. Strain out all ingredients.
7. Store pumpkin-infused vodka in a clean container.

When you browse the hummus selection at the store, there are more and more flavors with each passing day. But one that's missing from your life? Pumpkin hummus. With some pumpkin guts, you can finally dive on in. 

Instructions

• ½ cup pumpkin guts without seeds
• 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients

1. In a food processor, add pumpkin guts, chickpeas, olive oil, water, and seasoning.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Store in resealable container in refrigerator for up to one week. 

The next time you're in the mood for a shower or want to give your elbows and skin a nice scrub, you can exfoliate in style while recycling. All it takes is some guts. Pumpkin guts. 

Instructions

• 1-2 cups pumpkin guts without seeds
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ cup bath salts or brown sugar

Ingredients

1. In a blender, add pumpkin guts, lemon juice, and honey.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour into a resealable container.
4. Stir in bath salts or brown sugar.
5. Store in the refrigerator.
6. Rinse off completely when using.

The classic favorite use for pumpkin guts? Making roasted pumpkin seeds, of course! Don't toss the seeds when you're making your puree, broth, or liqueur. Separate the seeds, give them a good rinse, and settle in with a cozy, crunchy snack.

Go ahead. Get elbow-deep in those pumpkins you're carving. But don't toss those pumpkin guts into the trash! Pull out the seeds and then make the most difficult choice of all. Will you indulge yourself with a body scrub, perhaps sip a pumpkin cocktail, or bake up a delicious pumpkin pie? The only answer is to buy several pumpkins, so can you do it all.