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The day after Halloween can seem like a horror show with broken, rotting Jack O'Lanterns littering the streets. RecycleBank Rewards Partner Vala's Pumpkin Patch, a 152-acre operation in Omaha, Nebraska, with nearly 55 acres of pumpkins, proposes a more sustainable ending. On November 1, people can bring their Jack O'Lanterns to Pumpkin Destruction Day and discard of them in a fun way. Jan and Tim Vala, owners and co-founders of the farm, spoke to us about getting the most out of your pumpkins: turning them into pie, an art project, food for your flowers or, in their case-orange goo that will nourish the soil.
The goal of Pumpkin Destruction Day is obviously entertainment, but are you also trying to cut down on the number of pumpkins that end up in the trash?
Yes. Pumpkins are good for our soil so they may as well be here than someplace else breaking down. We have a lot of wild animals around Vala's so they come and eat the pumpkins, too. We also donate a few of our larger pumpkins that haven't sold to the local zoo. The elephants just push them around, until one steps on it and they're like, oh we can eat that.
What's the most popular form of destruction?
Last year there was a big line of people just waiting to throw their pumpkins against a big board with nails on it. We also drop the pumpkins from a high lift and they splatter.
What if you're planning on turning your pumpkin into dinner?
Dig out the guts and compost the fibrous parts. Anything you would do with winter squash you could do with pumpkin.
Are all pumpkins sweet enough for pie?
You can use any of them, but the smaller three-to-five pound size is ideal.
What about the seeds?
Some people make necklaces out of them. They have to be softened a bit with water and then you can stick a needle through them and paint them. We also have a recipe for pumpkin seeds on our website.
And if you don't have a Pumpkin Destruction Day near you? What should you do with your rotting pumpkins?
If you have a flowerbed or shrubs along your house, you may want to chop the pumpkins in half or cut them in pieces. They'll break down pretty good and you might have some volunteers next year.
