5 Things To Do With Leftover Pumpkin This October

As the autumn season rolls around, it’s time to embrace the abundance of pumpkins. This famous autumn vegetable is in season from late September through to October, so not only do these ideas help use up leftovers, but some of them enable you to enjoy pumpkin year-round!

So, what can you do with leftover pumpkin? Use your leftover pumpkin to make:

• Soup
• Roasted seeds
• Chutney
• Pumpkin puree
• Roasted pumpkin salad

We’re carefully curated a list of our favourite leftover pumpkin recipes which you can use this October. Read on to find out more.

What To Do With Your Leftover Pumpkin

Pumpkins are an extremely versatile vegetable, and they can be used in a number of delicious recipes including: 

1. Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin soup is a comforting and hearty option for those chilly autumn evenings, what’s more, it’s possibly one of the easiest soups to make!

Simply follow our Creamy Butternut Squash Soup recipe and swap out the butternut squash for your leftover pumpkin. It will take the same amount of time to cook, but the soup will be slightly more savoury compared to when you are using butternut squash.

2. Pumpkin Puree

One of the most versatile ways to use leftover pumpkin is by turning it into pumpkin puree. This creamy and nutritious base can be used in various recipes, from soups and stews to desserts and smoothies. Pumpkin puree is also suitable for freezing!

To make pumpkin puree:

• Cut your leftover pumpkin in half
• Peel and remove the seeds
• Chop into 1-2cm cubes
• Steam or boil the pumpkin until fork-tender
• Blend the cooked pumpkin until smooth

To freeze, add your pumpkin puree to an ice cube tray and freeze. Once frozen, transfer your pumpkin puree chunks into zip-lock bags and use as and when needed.

 

3. Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Don’t toss those pumpkin seeds! Roasting them is a tasty and healthy snack option. After removing them from the pumpkin, rinse the seeds until clean, toss them with olive oil and your favorite seasonings, and roast them in the oven until golden brown and crispy. They should take around half an hour to roast.

For a slightly festive twist, swap the olive oil for a tablespoon of honey and toss with dried rosemary and sugar. Simply swap out the nuts in our Festive Roasted Nuts recipe for your dried leftover pumpkin seeds. They make for a great dinner party snack or as a soup topper!

4. Pumpkin Chutney

If you want to enjoy pumpkin long after the season has passed, why not try your hand at pumpkin chutney? Combining the autumn vegetable with vinegar, sugar, spices, and onions is a great way to take the flavours to another level. Try this easy recipie for Spiced Pumpkin & Apple Chutney from Sainsbury’s Magazine. Ensure that you steralise your jars before storing the chutney to maximise its shelf life.

Make the most of your pumpkin chutney by using it on a festive cheese board or by making some delicous sandwiches! As Christmas is just around the corner, you could also add your chutney to handmade festive hampers.

5. Roasted Vegetable Salad

Salads in the winter time are often overlooked, but they are a quick and easy option for dinner parties and work lunches alike

Start off by roasting your vegetables. Dice your leftover pumpkin into 1-2cm cubes and add to a baking tray alongside other seasonal vegetables like:

• Red onion
• Broccoli
• Tomatoes

Drizzle with olive oil (or wild garlic oil), sprinkle with rosemary or thyme, and roast for half an hour until golden and caramelised around the edges. 

Serve your roasted vegetables on a bed of fresh leaves like rocket (this is our favourite option), spinach, or pea shoots. Add a cup of cooked cous-cous, a sprinkling of seeds, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar before tucking in! If you’re looking for more salads to make with pumpkin or similar vegetables, read one of our recent blogs: 23 Winter Salad Ideas To Have On Repeat

How Long Can You Keep Leftover Pumpkin?

In the fridge, leftover pumpkin stored in an airtight container will last between five and seven days. For those of you planning to use it at a much later date, chop your pumpkin into small bits and freeze, or make pumpkin puree and freeze into cubes using ice cube trays.

If your pumpkin is still whole, as in, it hasn’t been cut yet, then you may be able to keep it for up to eight weeks! Simply store in a cool, dry, location, ensuring your pumpkin stays off the ground. If your pumpkin starts to go soft, is damaged, or discoloured, we would recommend throwing it away.

Seasonal Recipes From Savery Grazing

We hope you found our creative ways to use leftover pumpkins helpful this October! If you have any ideas of your own to add, please let us know! 

If you are keen to keep up to date with us and our recipes, follow us on Instagram or Facebook. For more seasonal food ideas, explore the ‘recipes’ section of our website. 

Related Questions

Can You Freeze Pumpkins?

Yes! In fact, freezing your pumpkin is a great way to enjoy it past it’s harvesting season. To freeze raw pumpkin, dice into cubes before spreading them out onto a baking tray. Freeze on the tray, and once frozen, transfer to a ziplock bag before popping them back into the freezer (this will stop the chunks sticking together!). You can cook these from frozen, or defrost them in the fridge the night before.

Can You Store Cooked Pumpkins?

Yes, you can. Simply add your cooled, cooked pumpkin to an airtight container and pop it into the fridge. Cooked pumpkin should last up to three days. If you won’t use it between now and then, you could freeze your cooked pumpkin instead.

When Are Pumpkins in Season?

Pumpkins are in season from late September to October, but they are generally available in the UK until December. If you want to try out a pumpkin recipe but they aren’t in season yet, try using butternut squash instead. 

Looking for more information on seasonal eating in the UK? Read our month-by-month guide for eating the seasons.

What Eats Leftover Pumpkin?

If you don’t fancy eating your leftover pumpkin, don’t throw it away just yet! There is plenty of wildlife that will help you out instead. These include:

• Birds
• Foxes
• Squirrels
• Badgers
• Rabbits
• Rodents
• Chickens

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