Five fab things to do with left over Halloween pumpkins

Over a quarter of pumpkins Brits buy for Halloween end up in the bin.

Whether you’ve bought several to decorate your porch or just a little one for your window ledge, nothing needs to go to waste, as there’s lots of good, environmentally friendly ways to get the most of your spooky spending.

Here’s our five top favourite ways to use up your pumpkin leftovers:

Make a pumpkin bird feeder

Cut the top off your pumpkin to form a bowl shape, stick some twigs or sticks in the side to give the birds a place to perch. Use string or twine to create a loop so you can hang your feeder and check it’s secure, then fill it with birdseed – a culinary delight for your feathered friends.

Make a snack

Scoop out the inside of your pumpkin and separate the seeds. Wash them thoroughly and remove any stringy bits of pumpkin flesh, then dry well on kitchen paper. Put the seeds on a baking tray, toss with olive oil and roast in the oven for ten minutes at 200C/180C fan or gas mark 6. Serve with some salt as a snack or use to top salads and soups.

Grow your own next year

Whether you have green fingers or not, it’s easy to grow your own pumpkins for next Halloween. Rinse the seeds in running water to remove the flesh and pick out the biggest ones which will have the best chance of germinating. Store them in a cool, dry spot for one week then keep them in the fridge until next year. Come April you can plant your pumpkin seeds ready for October.

Create a centrepiece

If your pumpkin has still got life in it and it hasn’t gone mushy, use it to create a gorgeous flower display. Simply add some florist foam (or soil if you want to use plants) and then arrange your flowers.

If you’re using your pumpkin as a planter, make sure you choose plants that prefer the shade as pumpkins will rot quicker in the sun and let off a nasty smell.

Treat yourself

Pumpkins are full of vitamins that are great for your body and lovely for your skin, so why not transform your old pumpkin into a wonderful facemask? Scoop out any flesh still inside and blend to get a puree. Add ½ a tablespoon of honey and ½ a tablespoon of milk (or a plant-based alternative). Mix is all together, apply to your face and leave for 20 minutes – you’ll soon be glowing like a jack-o-lantern.