Waste Not, Warm Up: Making the Most of Leftover Pumpkins

Food waste is a major issue in the UK: for example, recent research shows that households generated around 6.4 million tonnes of food (and drink) waste in 2021/22, with a large portion of that being perfectly edible fresh produce.*
That’s why I’m passionate about turning this week’s leftover pumpkins into something delicious, and waste-wise.

I’m proud to support the fantastic work of Sutton Community Farm, where this lovely recipe comes from: their “Red Kuri Squash Thai Soup” (by Ceri Jones) is a brilliant way to use up pumpkins or squash before they go past their best.

You can find the full recipe here: https://www.suttoncommunityfarm.org.uk/recipes/red-kuri-squash-thai-soup

Why this matters

Fresh vegetables are among the most wasted food categories.
By using up what we already have (like a pumpkin from this week’s veg box, and Halloween doorsteps!), we save money, reduce waste, and help our planet.
Bonus: the soup is warm, comforting and full of flavour, perfect for autumn or winter.

Pumpkin soup by Ali Clifford eating at the French Windows

How to do it

Take your leftover pumpkin (or squash) peel, de-seed and chop it.
Follow the recipe at Sutton Community Farm (linked above) it guides you through making the soup with Thai flavours: spices, coconut milk, vegetables.
Serve with crusty bread or a simple side salad and enjoy the fact you’ve given that pumpkin a new lease of life.

If you’re not local
If you don’t get your organic veg from Sutton Community Farm, there are UK-wide options such as Riverford and Abel & Cole.

Using a weekly veg box service is another way to reduce food waste, as the produce is fresher, seasonal, often local, and you’re more likely to use it straight away.

Final thought
Let’s turn what might have been waste into wellness. That half-used pumpkin becomes a heart-warming bowl of soup; you save food, money and feel good about it. Why not make this week’s leftover pumpkin the star of dinner tonight?

Ref food waste: WRAP https://www.wrap.ngo/resources/report/household-food-and-drink-waste-uk-2022

(Disclosure: I’m currently working with Sutton Community Farm)