Sustainability Isn’t Scary: Halloween Tips and Tricks
Spooky season is here! And much like your money, you don’t want any of your food to go to waste! To keep the holiday sustainable, here are some tips on how to keep it green, even while carving that orange pumpkin! It starts with your pumpkin and what you do with it!
Traditionally, carving a pumpkin is a Halloween staple for any household, but let’s not forget the pumpkin is first and foremost food. After carving, the insides are usually thrown straight into the trash when they could be used to prepare some delicious fall treats!
The seeds
Whether you’re carving it or eating it, you first have to deal with the pumpkin seeds. Scoop the seeds out of the cavity, rinse some of the pulp off, spread them on a towel to dry, and then toast them. Simply roasted and salted, those seeds are a delicious and nutritious treat!
The flesh
Once you’ve cooked the pumpkin flesh you can puree it and use it as a substitute for canned pumpkin in endless recipes, like pumpkin bread, cookies, pancakes, cakes and more… If you don’t use all your puree, make sure to freeze the leftovers. Note that frozen, it will keep for six months!
The skin
After you’ve peeled the skin from your roasted pumpkin, don’t get rid of it. It can be dehydrated into a crispy, nutritious snack (think healthy chips)!
Bonus Recipe:
Our uOttawa dietician, Maryann Moffitt, recommend you try this easy no-bake recipe, it’s scary tasty!
Other tips for going the extra (sustainable) mile:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing plant-based Halloween candies, like dark chocolate or smarties.
- Reduce packaging by avoiding double wrapped candies.
- Buy local to support local businesses and reduce food miles.
- If you do have pumpkin waste, compost it! Composting stations are available in most uOttawa residences.
- Whether you had a costume prepared before quarantine, or are planning for next year, recycling costumes with friends and family is a great way to maintain sustainability for the holiday. A reminder that Ottawa Public Health has asked us to sacrifice the Halloween parties this year in order for us to re-flatten the curve before the winter holiday season.
- You can also learn more about sustainability, environmental issues, and take action by checking out the UO Sustainability Centre on Facebook.
Sustainability doesn’t have to be scary! We hope we gave you some new skills to consider for your fall baking this year. The smallest efforts make a big difference! Be sure to stay safe, and don’t forget to carve out some time for your pumpkin decorating and comforting fall cooking!