Seven Creative Uses for Leftover Pumpkins

Halloween has come and gone, leaving us with fading memories and old jack-o'-lanterns. You can't do much with memories, but the possibilities for recycling pumpkin are nearly endless. Here are some of our favorites.

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7. Pumpkin Moonshine

Why not drown your sorrows in pumpkin-flavored alcohol? Pumpkin wine, pumpkin ale soup, pumpkin liqueur, pumpkin beer, and pumpkin brandy are just a few of the intoxicating options available to enterprising squash lovers.
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6. Pumpkin Body Butter
The only thing better than eating or drinking leftover pumpkin innards is slathering them all over your body. All you need for this DIY project is pumpkin puree, coconut milk solids, and ground cinnamon. Mix it all together and voila, ready for moisturizing duty.

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5. Pumpkin Facial
If body butter isn't your thing, consider making a your very own facial mix with pureed pumpkin, honey, and milk. At best, you'll look younger and more invigorated. At worst, you might have to convince people that you don't have a case of Carotenosis.

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4. Pumpkin Wontons
When in doubt, turn to the deep-fryer. Slap together some pumpkin, brown sugar, cardamom, hazelnuts, nutmeg, and cheese for wontons even less authentically Asian than the ones at P.F. Chang's.

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3. Pumpkin Gnocchi
It's hard to go wrong with gnocchi: Add browned butter, cheese, and sage, and you've got yourself a bona fide Halloween-themed Italian dinner.

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2. Pumpkin Hummus
Pumpkin hummus does sound somewhat cringe-worthy, but it's creative, to say the least. Just use all the usual suspects (olive oil, tahini, garlic, chickpeas) and add pumpkin, cinnamon, agave nectar, dates, and Thai green curry paste.

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1. Pumpkin Pie Milk Shake
It's such a brilliant idea, we're surprised it isn't available at every local ice cream shop. Mix together milk, cream, marshmallows, and pumpkin pie for a brainfreeze treat. Guaranteed to bring all the boys to the yard.

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