Jack O Lantern = FOOD!

I come from a long line of frugal folks... and I learned from my mother that a perfectly good pumpkin should never go to waste! So, our family tradition is to quickly convert yesterday's seasonal decor into tomorrow's dinner.

First, thank your special friend, your dear creation, for their loving service in adding to the holiday cheer of Halloween.

Then, go to work! Cut your friend into big wedges...

... until all that remains of your loving Jack O Lantern is a big pile of pumpkin chunks.

Next up: steam your pumpkin. I use the pressure cooker, cuz it's super quick. I cook the pumpkin for 9 minutes at high pressure, and then let the pressure come down naturally. Before I had a pressure cooker, I used old fashioned steaming, and just kept an eye on it until the pumpkin was ready.

The pumpkin flesh should be down-right tender when it's ready.

And the skin should come off super easily.

After you've removed the skins, put your peeled chunks into a strainer, and pick up big handfuls of pumpkin moosh. Begin squeezing out almost all of the moisture. A LOT of moisture comes out. You don't want it dry, but you don't want it soupy either. It's always easy to add more moisture, and harder to get rid of it.

Then, put all your pumpkin into a container, label it, and pop it in the freezer! Then, next time you want to make pumpkin waffles or pumpkin curry soup or pumpkin pie... you can feel very industrious, and break out your old halloween buddy in his reincarnated form.

p.s. You can also save all that great liquid you've squeezed out of the pumpkin - it's a great base for veggie broth or pumpkin soup. But do it all soon - before your pumpkin gets old and rotten!

Happy Day After Halloween!