Tuesday, October 15, 2013 / by Martin Millner
Great Uses For Pumpkins
Other than pumpkin pie, what else can you do with pumpkins? Here are some great suggestions!
Turn it into a fall planter. It doesn’t matter if your pumpkin is carved, they can make a great fall planter for your front porch or your deck. Fill the pumpkin with some potting soil, plant a fall plant such as a mum, and enjoy! The pumpkin will naturally give the plant some fertilizers, and you can enjoy your pumpkin for a little while longer in a whole new way.
Make pumpkin stock for your fall and winter soups. Use the guts from the pumpkin to make a delicious stock that can be frozen. Boil the guts for about 30 minutes, and strain the stock. Let it cool and then freeze for later use.
Feed our wildlife. There are plenty of places throughout Bucks County – and possibly even your own backyard – that are great for providing a nice snack for critters such as deer, rabbits and even birds. Cut the pumpkin into fourths, and just place it in the woods. Deer especially will love this treat.
Make pumpkin candies. This is traditionally a treat in Mexico, and can easily be made. Start with a whole pumpkin (one that has not been used for carving). Remove the guts and seeds from the pumpkin, and cut the pumpkin into smaller chunks. Remove the skin from those chunks with a vegetable peeler.
Now cut those chunks into bite-size pieces and place them in a large saucepan. Cover with another water just to cover them, and boil until they begin to get soft.
Once it begins to soften, add one cup of brown sugar, some cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and whole cloves. Cover with a lid and boil until that mixture begins to form a syrup.
Turn off the heat, and let the pumpkin sit in the syrup overnight in your refrigerator. Place the pieces on a wire rack to let them dry, and sprinkle with additional sugar if needed.
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