Halloween has come
and gone for another year, and for many people that means costumes are tucked back into closets, a growing
mound of candy wrappers — and an extra pumpkin or two around the home. But why let this jolly orange squash
go to waste? From homemade skin care to healthy treats, here are some creative ways to use your leftover
pumpkin.
Soothe your
skin. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, pumpkin puree
is a great addition to any D.I.Y. skin care regimen. Try this easy-to-make Papaya Pumpkin
Facial from Spa Index — all you need is pumpkin, papaya
and an egg. For a whole-body treatment, recreate the Luscious Pumpkin
Body Butter found at care2.com. The moisturizing coconut milk and warming
ground cinnamon are especially beneficial for dry, tired skin during the winter
months.
Revitalize your hair.
Ecouterre has a nourishing
Pumpkin Hair
Mask that harnesses the power of puréed pumpkin,
natural plain yogurt and a touch of honey. This all-natural conditioner is said to leave your hair shiny and
soft.
Toast the seeds.
Pumpkin seeds, or pepitas, are a good source of
fibre, iron and minerals such as magnesium, iron and zinc, which boost the immune system. Best of all, they
make a tasty snack. Toast for 10 minutes on a baking sheet at 350 F. Then toss into salads, soups or yogurt
for added crunch, or mix into muffin or pancake batter. You can also snack on them on their own, with the
option of adding a sprinkle of garlic powder, chili powder, Parmesan cheese, cumin or your spice of choice.
Enjoy pumpkin seeds in moderation, however — two tablespoons pack around 100
calories.
Try these recipes.
Like the seeds, the flesh of the pumpkin is ripe
with kitchen possibilities. This versatile ingredient can be incorporated into both sweet and savoury dishes,
and used as anything from the starring ingredient to the sauce. Myrecipes.com has tantalizing options for every meal of
the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and, of course, dessert. For a twist on the traditional cocktail, try
these two pumpkin-flavoured creations from the BBC: Skull
punch and Bewitched.•
