Guts

Did you know that classic carving pumpkins don’t taste that great? To use your pumpkin for more than scaring ghouls, choose one that’s:

FleshSeeds

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From the expert

“My favorite way to use pumpkin puree is adding it to chili for a unique fall flavor, but you can also catch me adding it to smoothies and blended coffee drinks.”

Flowers

Bonus bits

Uses: Mixed in salads, soups or sautés.

Benefits: The amino acid in pumpkin seeds may helpregulate mood, and the mono- and poly-unsaturatedfats support heart health.

Uses: Roasted with Cajun spice, garlic, nutmeg or Worcestershire sauce.

Leaves

Uses: Boiled and seasoned; cooked with vegetables; or blended into a smoothie.

Did you know you can eat pumpkin leaves and flowers? Though trace amounts are low, pumpkin leaves and flowers contain vitamin A, folate and potassium. These nutrients may help with eyesight, skin, heart and muscle health.

Benefits: With vitamin A, beta carotene and potassium, pumpkin flesh can help improve eyesight, skin health, immunityand muscle strength, and may play a role in protection against cancer.

Uses: Pureed for soups, muffins, coffee drinks or oatmeal. Or try it cubed and baked for sides, salads, chili or stir-fries.

Benefits: Soft, silky and full of that wonderful pumpkin scent, the guts are great for DIY skin products.

Use: In a sugar body scrub mixed with coarse sugar, a bit of honey and sweet almond oil.

— Ursula Ridens, RDN, registered dietitian at Sharp HealthCare’s Outpatient Nutrition Counseling Program

Choosing your pumpkin

• Smaller, between 4 and 8 pounds

• Smoother, with a duller shell

• Labeled “sugar pumpkin” or “pie pumpkin”

Did you know that classic carving pumpkins don’t taste that great? To use your pumpkin for more than scaring ghouls, choose one that’s:

Add a new twist to your carving party by using all of your pumpkin parts.

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Halloween healthy uses for your 5pumpkin