Every Halloween, millions of jack o’lanterns show off their spooky grins, but once the candy’s gone and the decorations are packed up, most of these festive pumpkins just get tossed.

But you can turn things around! Save money, cut down on waste, and let your creativity shine by making the most of these orange gourds. From tasty treats to fun crafts and sustainable causes, find out what to do with leftover Halloween pumpkins so they don’t go to waste. Get carving, cooking, or crafting, and give those pumpkins a fresh new life!

What are the Varieties of Pumpkins Used for Halloween?

Jack o’lantern pumpkins are a must-have for Halloween fun. These big, bright orange pumpkins are perfect for carving into spooky faces or adding festive flair to your home. 

Some of the most popular pumpkin varieties for Halloween include:

• Autumn Gold Bush Hybrid
• Baby Wrinkles Hybrid
• Cargo Pmr Hybrid
• Connecticut Field
• Corvette Pmr
• Cougar Pmr Hybrid
• Early Abundance Hybrid
• Hijinks Hybrid
• Howden
• Magic Lantern Hybrid

Why Should You Not Throw Away Pumpkins?

According to the USDA, the US produces around 2 billion pumpkins per year! It’s estimated that about 80% of those pumpkins are not used for food and end up in the garbage after Halloween.

Here’s a not-so-fun fact: Pumpkins that go to landfills don’t break down easily. Landfills are packed tight and lack oxygen, which means pumpkins and other organic stuff can’t decompose properly. Instead, they release methane gas, a harmful greenhouse gas that’s bad for the environment.

Besides, throwing away a pumpkin is like tossing a little treasure in the trash, especially if you’ve taken so much time and effort to grow your own pumpkins yourself! There’s so much you can do with them, so let’s find better ways to use them and keep them out of the landfill!

What Can I Do With My Pumpkins After Halloween?

So, what should you do with those old pumpkins that are falling apart on your porch if you can’t just dispose of them? Check out these creative ways to make the most of your leftover pumpkins!

Roast Pumpkin Seeds

If you love roasted pumpkin seeds, especially around Halloween, don’t throw away the seeds from your carved pumpkin! Save them, and you can turn them into a tasty snack. You can enjoy them with all sorts of flavors—spicy, herby, cinnamon, or whatever you’re craving. They’re also great tossed into salads! You’ll have to wash, soak, boil, then dry the seeds from your pumpkin before roasting them, but it’s an affordable snack that’s worth the effort! You can even make pumpkin seed butter with your roasted seeds!

Make Roasted Pumpkin

Halloween pumpkins are edible gourds, just like butternut squash or acorn squash, so you can cook them similarly. If your jack o’lantern is still in good shape with no mold or wrinkling, you can wash it, cut it up, roast it at 400°F with some olive oil and salt, and eat it! It makes a great autumn side dish, along with chicken and cauliflower puree!

Make Pumpkin Puree for Pumpkin Pies, Bread, or More 

Making fresh pumpkin puree from scratch is easy and cheap, especially with leftover pumpkins you don’t want to waste. Pumpkin puree is just cooked and mashed pumpkin flesh, and it’s perfect for a variety of pumpkin recipes like pumpkin pie, muffins, soups, whoopie pie cookies, and sauces. The best part is that you can freeze your homemade pumpkin puree for up to six months! The flesh from big Halloween pumpkins is not as sweet as the smaller ones, so it’s best to use those for savory recipes like pumpkin soup or pumpkin risotto.

Homemade pumpkin baked goods always taste better than store-bought ones, don’t they? Nothing says Fall like soft, fluffy pumpkin muffins or pumpkin bread packed with the right amount of sweet spice. Using your leftover gourd for baking means you get to enjoy a tasty treat while cutting down on food waste. Plus, the warm, comforting flavors are a perfect way to celebrate the autumn time of year!

Make Pumpkin Butter

Would you spend $15 on a small jar of pumpkin butter? If that sounds pricey for a mix of pumpkin and sugar, why not use your leftover Halloween pumpkins to make your own? You might not need to spend a thing if you already have brown sugar and spices at home.

Spread it on toast or bagels, pancakes, and crepes, mix it into your oatmeal, stir a spoonful into your coffee for a pumpkin spice latte, or use it as a base for a soup!

Make Pickled Pumpkin Rinds

Thought you couldn’t eat the pumpkin rind? You thought wrong! You can pickle the rind from a freshly carved pumpkin, as long as it’s free of rot or mold, or save the pieces you carved (like the eyes or nose). Any pickle lover will tell you it’s delicious! 

Pickled pumpkin rinds are great on their own as a healthy snack or added to salads, sandwiches, or charcuterie boards for a burst of flavor. They also make a great gift for any food lover!

Make a Pumpkin Bird Feeder

Depending on the weather, you can get another week or two of use out of your leftover Halloween decorations by turning them into bird feeders!

Here’s how: Cut a circle around the jack o’lantern’s face, clean out the inside, and use twine to make a holder by tying three pieces together at the top. Add bird food and hang it from a tree or porch. Enjoy watching different birds fly by and enjoy the fall goodies!

Compost Your Pumpkin

Remember, pumpkins are food and should be treated like any other food waste. A simple way to handle leftover Halloween pumpkins is to compost them in your own garden composter. If you don’t have a garden, you can put pumpkins in your backyard compost bin or take them to a composting facility that handles yard waste.

Use the Pumpkins for Thanksgiving Decor

Pumpkins are synonymous with autumn and harvest, making them a natural choice for Thanksgiving decor.

Uncarved pumpkins can last for about 12 weeks, so if your whole pumpkins are still firm and good after Halloween, keep them for a great addition to your Thanksgiving table!

Feed Leftover Pumpkin to Animals

Lots of wild animals, like squirrels, birds, deer, and even bears, enjoy pumpkins. But be careful where you put them, as leftover pumpkins can attract pests or unwanted wildlife to your yard.

Pigs, cows, goats, and chickens also love pumpkins added to their animal feed, so it’s a great way to use up those leftovers. Just make sure to remove any candles and wax before giving pumpkins to animals! You can also give it to animal shelters. 

Donate or Give it to Community Pumpkin Roundup

A community pumpkin roundup is a great way to get rid of a jack o’lantern after Halloween. These events help keep pumpkins out of landfills and find them to be of good use. 

If you have pumpkins left from the holidays, donate them instead of tossing them! Many communities have easy drop-off spots for pumpkin donations, making it simple and convenient.

What Should You Avoid Doing with Your Leftover Pumpkin?

While pumpkins are versatile and can be repurposed for creative uses, there are a few things you should avoid:

• Throwing it in the trash: This just adds to landfill waste and methane emissions.
• Leaving it in parks or woodlands: This can attract unwanted pests and create a mess.
• Feeding it to wildlife indiscriminately: While some local wildlife enjoy pumpkins, it can disrupt their natural diet and lead to unhealthy behaviors.
• Composting pumpkins with seeds: Pumpkin seeds can sprout in your compost pile, creating unwanted plants. To save pumpkin seeds for next year, remove them from the pumpkin, wash off the pulp, let them dry, and store them.