Everything Pumpkin

trick or treat display using candy holder from pumpkin

Let’s give them pumpkin to talk about. We are here to help you make the best use of your pumpkins this autumn season. Whether you like eating them, decorating them, or finding creative new uses we’ve got you covered.

If you’ve never been one to decorate your home for Halloween, you’ll want to after looking at these creative pumpkins. Pumpkins are inexpensive, come in a huge variety, and have many uses that we’ll share with you now.

Painted Pumpkins

If you do a quick google search of “painted pumpkins” the ideas are endless. What’s great about this activity is that anyone can do it. Your creativity has no cap and no two pumpkins are exactly the same. Marble paint, glitter glue, a solid color, stars, animal faces, stripes, polka dots, ombre, floral, quotes… just to name a few.

Having a dinner party? Try painting your pumpkin a solid color and writing your house number on it to leave on your stoop. Or, if you are really talented, try painting the night’s dinner menu on it. Not sure what that would look like? Check it out at The Merry Thought!

Cookie Cutter

Cookies are not the only thing cookie cutters are good for! You may not always have time to put them to use from homemade cookies, but you might have time for pumpkin carving. If you don’t consider yourself artistic this is for you!

© Timothy & Laura Dahl @ Built by Kids
© Timothy & Laura Dahl @ Built by Kids

All you need are your favorite cookie cutters, a rubber mallet, and a sharp paring knife or pumpkin carving knife.

Start by carving out the pumpkin guts as you would to make a traditional jack-o-lantern. Then, hold your cookie cutter steady where you’d like and tap it lightly with a rubber mallet (The little kiddos can help with that step!). Lastly, once the cookie cutter is all the way through, grab the knife and beginning cutting along the inner edge of the cookie cutter as it is in the pumpkin.

Place a candle inside and voila!

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

When carving your pumpkin, don’t throw out the seeds! Place the pumpkin guts and seeds into a colander and run cold water over them. Next, clean your seeds.  Running the cold water over them helps you do this because it loosens the gunk from the seeds! Pat the seeds dry and roast them in a single layer on a baking sheet on 325°F for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Common bases to coat pumpkin seeds include coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil and butter. The amount you need varies depending on how many seeds you have but generally, a little goes a long way! As for flavor, use any spices and herbs you’d like. Tasty combos include cinnamon sugar, rosemary parmesan, sweet and spicy, and dill pickle.

Pumpkin Pie

…or cake, or cheesecake. Ever try making pumpkin pie from scratch? By scratch we mean having the pumpkin filling come from a pumpkin you purchased, not from a can. It’s hard, and if you have done it we respect you! If that’s not your cup of tea, try purchasing a pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin cake, or pumpkin pie from our expert bakers who stick to tradition.

 

Spirits and Spirits

Looking for a couple new ways to spice up your fall party? Turn your pumpkin into a cooler and chill your spirits. You’ll want to find a larger pumpkin depending on what you are chilling.  Here’s three easy steps to help you. If you don’t have the perfect size bowl, you can substitute it for plastic wrap just to make sure your spirits aren’t getting spooky from touching the inside of the pumpkin.

To use a pumpkin for a candy holder, purchase any size. Cut a small hole in the bottom of the pumpkin to empty some of the insides out to make room for the vase you insert. Then, cut a hole in the side of the pumpkin as shown and insert your vase or wide-mouthed mason jar. Fill it with candy and you’ve got yourself a seasonal display (especially if you have more than one)! Add it to the dessert table along with individual pumpkin mousse cups, or other sweet treats! Remember, it’s always nice to buy local when you can.  We bought our pumpkins for the cooler and candy jar from a local farm near us, Emery Farm!

 

Aly Veo is our fall 2019 University of New Hampshire marketing intern. When she’s not studying or working hard here at GourmetGiftBaskets.com she enjoys running, time spent with family, and is the president of her sorority.

© Featured & Blog Photos by GourmetGiftBaskets.com
Cookie Cutter Pumpkin image © Timothy & Laura Dahl, Built by Kids Blog