Frugal Tip for Fall

Did you get a pumpkin for Halloween? Don't throw it away! Although it is not a "pie" pumpkin, it is still edible. And at around $4 a pumpkin, its a waste to simply toss it in the trash.

Break Mr. Pumpkin apart, and cut him into 1-inch strips. Cut off the peel and any "stringy" parts still left. Dice it.

Now, you can either can it, dry it, or freeze it.

For canning, do not puree' it. A pumpkin puree may be too thick to heat thoroughly. Cut into 1-inch cubes. Boil 2 minutes. Pack into jars, and pour hot water in, leaving a 1-inch headspace. Pressure can at 10 lbs. 55 minutes for pints, 90 minutes for quarts.

To dry, blanch cubes, then dry. Simple.

To freeze, cut up, then cook...375 oven, a microwave, or steam...until soft. Puree may be frozen.

Here's hoping everyone had a happy and safe All-Hallow's Eve.




And don't jump all over me about Halloween...I'm mostly Irish, its a part of my heritage (a fall harvest festival), and to disparage it is a hate crime against the Irish worthy of me demanding a public apology...or a butterfinger.

And to all my Scots-Irish brothers and sisters out there...Happy New Year!