How to Extend the Life of a Pumpkin

Hello Dear Reader,

Over the years I have learnt little tricks to extend the life of fresh produce, you paid for it, you might as well get to use all of it. I like to buy a whole pumpkin to reduce the amount of single use plastic coming into my home. However, buying a whole pumpkin can be hit and miss, firstly you don't know what the flesh looks like until you cut it and you run the risk of the pumpkin going off before you can use it all.

Here is what I do to make sure none of it is wasted.

Firstly when buying the pumpkin make sure the stalk is dry and intact, if the pumpkin has been dried properly the flesh will actually last a lot longer. Tap the pumpkin and if it sounds hollow it is usually a good pumpkin and has been dried properly. If the pumpkin hasn't been dried properly the flesh will be sappy, pale and will lack flavour.

When you do cut it, take out all the pulp and seeds, I cut the pumpkin into quarters first, take out all the pulp and seeds and let the quarters dry before storing them in the fridge. I use a spoon to scrape out all the fibrous, stringy pulp, try and take it right back to the actual pumpkin flesh. Then sit them in a dry place for a couple of hours to let them dry out a little. I will either wrap them in  a dry, clean, lint free tea towel and pop them in the crisper draw or store them in a tea towel lined, sealed container.

With the seeds, after they are washed and dried, I bake them in the oven with a little oil, salt and five spice. Deliciously crunchy and no waste. 

Over to you, what do you do to fresh produce to prevent waste?

Have a lovely day,

💗Fi

One Year Ago-My Clutter Magnet 

Two Years Ago-Peanut Butter and Jam Drops