10 WAYS TO USE FALL PUMPKINS THAT DON'T INVOLVE HALLOWEEN

At this time of year pumpkins seem to be everywhere and families are snapping them up to make the traditional Halloween lanterns. And as if there were not enough real pumpkins the shops have plenty (perhaps far too many) plastic replicas to use as decorations. Well the ten ideas described below involve neither Halloween nor pumpkin pie. I came across these suggestions in an article by Tricia Drevets which I found over on Dave’s Garden website.

Does it seem as if pumpkins are everywhere this time of year? You could be right. Although they are native to Central America and Mexico, pumpkins now grow on every continent (other than Antarctica).
American farms grow more than 1.5 million pounds of pumpkins each year. The top states that produce pumpkins are California, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
While many families buy pumpkins to carve for Halloween or simply to place “as is” on their doorsteps, there are many other uses for the large, cheerful-looking gourds.
Here are 10 uses for your fall pumpkins:

1. Food (That Isn’t Pie)

Now, don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with pumpkin pie or pumpkin bread, but pumpkins can be used in many other foods. Try pumpkin ravioli or pumpkin soup, for example. Pumpkin is rich in magnesium and iron, and it contains more fiber than kale and more potassium than bananas.

2. Facial Cream and Cleanser

Pumpkin contains beta-carotene; zinc; potassium; vitamins A, C, and E; and antioxidants ? all of which are good for your skin. You can make your own skin cream by mixing 2 tablespoons of pumpkin pur?e with 1/2 teaspoon of honey and 1/2 teaspoon of soy or almond milk. If you’d like, you can add a drip or tow of your favorite essential oil, such as soothing lavender, to the mix.