Don’t throw your pumpkin away, give it to your furry friends.
Now that the Halloween festivities have ended, it is time to make a decision: when to throw out your leftover pumpkin. But before tossing your jack-O-lantern into the trash, why not repurpose it into something useful like pet food or people food? If you have a leftover pumpkin in your home, turn it into something useful and give it to the animals in your life!
Make a Bird Feeder
If your pumpkin is already cut into a jack-o-lantern, why not turn this festive decoration into a treat for the birds in your neighborhood? Simply fill the pumpkin with bird seed and put it outside. Not only will the birds eat the seed, they will also eat the pumpkin too!
Give it to Your Pets
Birds aren’t the only animals that like pumpkins. If your dog and cat have been trying to eat your pumpkin all season, it is probably for a good reason. Pumpkins are rich in carotenoids, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, fiber, zinc, iron, vitamin A, and potassium. Together, these natural vitamins and chemicals mix to give your dog and cat healthy skin and can help with their digestive track, especially if they are constipated or have diarrhea. While it may seem cute for them to try and eat the whole pumpkin, this is not a good idea. Your pet should only have pumpkin puree in their food.
Make Pumpkin Puree
Pumpkin puree can be given to your pets or popped into a pie. To do this, you will need an un-carved pumpkin and a knife. Cut your un-carved pumpkin into quarters and scoop out the seeds and pulp from the center of each quarter. If you don’t want to get your hands dirty, try using an ice cream scooper or a spoon. Once they are clear of seeds and most of the pulp, put them on a baking sheet and roast them at 350 degrees for 45 minutes in the oven. Once they are done, take them out and remove the skin from the pieces. Pop the pumpkin into a food processor and puree. If the puree looks a little too dry, you can add a few tablespoons of water to get the right consistency.
Animals of all kinds love pumpkin, so why not share yours? For more information or tips for apartment living, check back for our weekly blogs!
Leftover Pumpkins with Harborside Village Apartments
Whether you need your very first apartment home or are relocating to the area, Apartments of Harborside Village would love to be your dream apartment home. Looking for beautiful waterfront apartments in Joppa, Maryland? Let us show you one of our spacious and affordable apartments at the Apartments of Harborside Village. To learn more about our apartment options, visit us online, give us a call at 410-679-1130, or email us. For a peek into what it’s like to live in our community, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, and YouTube!