How To Cook Your Pumpkin After Halloween!

October 6, 2025

After Halloween, many often wonder what to actually do with their pumpkins! If you still have a whole pumpkin that was sitting on your Glenwood balcony or foyer, you should make pumpkin seeds and pumpkin puree with your family or friends!

Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Making homemade pumpkin pure is a fun way to spend time together in the kitchen making a fall staple that can be used for so many things from pumpkin soup, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin bread to pumpkin lattes! And, it is surprisingly simple!

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350
2. Cut a pumpkin in half
3. Remove the pith and seeds (wash seeds and set aside to make pumpkin seeds!)
4. Cube the pumpkin and toss with olive oil and sprinkle with salt
5. Place the cubes on a baking tray lined with parchment paper
6. Bake for 35- 45 minutes depending on your oven, start poking with a toothpick around 35 minutes (they are done when you can piece the pumpkin cube)
7. Puree your cubes!
8. You can freeze your puree if you would like to save it

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds make a delicious, healthy snack that your kids can help you prepare!

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350
2. Wash off and dry your pumpkin seeds completely!
3. Season your pumpkin seeds on a baking tray lined with parchment paper with salt, pepper, garlic powder (if you like garlic) and olive oil
4. You will put them in the oven for around 10 minutes (or until they appear golden brown) shake then after 5 minutes so all sides get roasted

Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

Instructions:

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups (220g) whole wheat flour (or all-purpose)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ginger (optional)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
• ½ cup mashed ripe banana (or unsweetened applesauce)
• ¼ cup coconut oil or melted butter
• ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey (optional if avoiding all added sugars – use extra banana instead)
• ¼ cup milk (any kind)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts, raisins, or dark chocolate chips (no sugar added)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line or grease a muffin tin.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices.
3. In another bowl, mix the eggs, pumpkin puree, mashed banana, oil, milk, vanilla, and sweetener (if using).
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir just until combined. Don’t overmix.
5. Fold in any optional add-ins.
6. Divide batter evenly into the muffin tin (makes 10–12 muffins).
7. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Posted in Apartment Living NYC, manhattan living, NYC Events, Things To Do in NYC | Tagged pumpkin puree • pumpkin recipes • pumpkin seeds