Jacqueline Weiss
After carving a pumpkin for a jack-o'-lantern or using it in a delicious recipe, you're usually left with a mess. But don't transfer that mess to the trash just yet! You can actually turn those stringy pumpkin guts (aka pulp and seeds—here's how to separate them) into more things than you might think. Read on to learn more about their health benefits and what to do with leftover pumpkin guts.
Related: 10+ Easy Pumpkin Desserts
Health benefits
Not only is pumpkin festive for the fall, it has some amazing health benefits, too! Here are a few potential health benefits that you need to know about:
Boost your immunity: Pumpkin is high in vitamin A, which not only contributes to pumpkins' orange color but is a vital nutrient that helps boost immunity.
Destroy cancer cells: Like other orange fruits and vegetables, pumpkin is rich in carotenoids. Getting the carotenoid beta carotene from fruits and vegetables can help bolster your body's ability to destroy cancer cells.
Improve your eye health: In a study of over 100,000 individuals followed for 35 years, those who ate a higher-carotenoid diet lowered their risk of advanced macular degeneration (a leading cause of vision loss) by 25% to 35%.
But don't forget about the seeds! They have their fair share of health benefits as well:
Rich in antioxidants: Pumpkin seeds are full of antioxidants, which can protect your cells and reduce inflammation.
High in magnesium: Pumpkin seeds are a great source of magnesium, which helps your heart and bone health, as well as blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Magnesium also helps promote relaxation and deep sleep.
How to store pumpkin pulp & seedsPulp
After removing the seeds from the pulp, you can refrigerate the pulp in an airtight storage container for two to four days, until ready for use. Or, stick it in the freezer in a tightly sealed container, where it will last up to three months. You may puree the pulp first, if that fits your intended use. Defrost frozen pulp in the refrigerator overnight.
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