There are so many great things about autumn— delicious warm drinks, cosy jumpers, and snug evenings in by the fire are difficult not to love.
But one seasonal staple that people can’t get enough of when the nights get colder is the pumpkin. In fact, demand for this autumnal food is expected to soar by a whopping 15% in England this year, after the restrictions of last Halloween (Independent).
While it’s great that people are enjoying this delicious seasonal treat, the bad news is that this may lead to more food waste. Last year it was predicted that a staggering 12.7 million pumpkins would be wasted over the Halloween period, equating to over half of the pumpkins bought in that time (The Guardian).
However, the good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. If you want to do your bit to cut down on food waste, and enjoy the delicious taste and scent of this autumn treat, good news! Burleigh Pottery are here to share four ways that you can use leftover pumpkin this autumn.
Pumpkin spiced syrup
If the pumpkin spiced latte is your favourite autumnal drink, then making this syrup is an absolute must. And it’s a lot easier than you may first think too! Start making a pumpkin puree by cutting the pumpkin in half, scooping out the seeds, and baking it until soft. To add some flavour, drizzle it with oil and warming autumnal spices first, like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Once baked, spoon this mixture out of the skin, mash it, and strain it to get rid of excess juice.
To make the syrup, all you need to do is combine this puree in a saucepan with sugar, water, and a couple of pinches of each of the spices above, and stir it until it’s smooth and thick. Then, just leave it to cool and refrigerate it in an airtight container.
The great thing about pumpkin spiced syrup is that it’s so versatile. You can use it in cookies and cakes, or pour it over pancakes and waffles. You can even include it in your cocktails by creating a pumpkin spiced espresso martini! But for the old favourite, add to a latte or a hot chocolate, top with whipped cream, and serve in your favourite mug.
Pumpkin face mask
There’s no better way to relax after a chilly autumnal walk than with a nice hot bath. But to take your relaxation to the next level, why not try creating your own pumpkin face mask to apply during your self-care session? Not only will you smell delicious, but you may even find your skin looking healthier too, as pumpkin encourages high cell turnover which can leave your skin looking bright and radiant (HD Beauty).
All you need for a pumpkin face mask is a quarter of a cup of smoothly blended pumpkin, an egg, and either two tablespoons of honey (best for dry to normal skin) or a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (for good to oily skin). Simply mix these ingredients together well and apply to clean dry skin for 20 minutes for the best results.
Pumpkin Beignets
If you have a sweet tooth, there’s no better way to use your leftover pumpkin than to make a delicious beignet. These sweet treats date all the way back to ancient Rome, but they have since become a staple in New Orleans. The deep-fried pastries have a similar consistency to donuts or fritters. Beignets are also incredibly delicious, and they will easily become an instant favourite after your first bite.
While this isn’t a quick recipe as it involves leaving the dough to proof, it’s definitely worth the wait. It’s also the perfect option for people who want to test their baking skills. If you want to give pumpkin beignets a go, get started by checking out this recipe.
Pumpkin butter
This delicious and creamy treat is the perfect way to use your pumpkin leftovers, and it can be made with just 6 ingredients! Simply create a pumpkin puree by blending the fruit. Combine roughly 430g of this puree in a saucepan with half a tup of maple syrup, a third of a cup of apple cider, a tablespoon of vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice, and a teaspoon cinnamon. Stir this over a low heat until it becomes a spreadable consistency, and leave it to cool before storing it.
This mixture can be kept for up to a month if stored correctly in an airtight container in the fridge, so there are plenty of ways to use it in this time! You can use it on bread, French toast, scones, and porridge, to name just a few. Or to try something completely different, use it in a savoury dish by creating a pumpkin and goats cheese panini (Panini Happy).
“When thinking about autumn, pumpkins are often one of the first things that come to mind. However, sadly, many of these delicious fruits end up being wasted this time of year, with the inside of carved pumpkins going straight into the rubbish.
“Not only do these recipes reduce pumpkin waste, but they’re the perfect way to treat yourself this autumn. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile too! Pumpkin butter in particular can be served up in a number of ways, whether it’s in a cake, cookies, crumble, or simply straight on toast. Serve it up on your favourite seasonal plate alongside a pumpkin spiced latte for a tasty autumnal treat.”
Kate Cartwright, Brand Marketing Manager at Burleigh Pottery
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