Feeding pumpkin "insides" from carving pumpkins?

[Deleted]

I am planning on starting my Halloween pumpkin carving this week - I like to go all out with intricate designs so I like to get an early start...perhaps a ferret themed pumpkin this year - and was just wondering if it would be safe to keep the pumpkin "insides" to feed the ferrets?

I would make sure not to include any seeds, but I was thinking of taking the pumpkin flesh you scrape out of the inside and pureeing it and freezing it.

Does this sound okay to do? The only thing I can think of being not safe is if they use growth hormones to grow the pumpkins extra big for Halloween... Does any one know if they do? I'm pretty sure no sells "organic" Halloween pumpkins around here, otherwise I would go that route to be safe #hehe#

Just a thought though, since all that good pumpkin just goes to waste!

[Heather]

You can if you cook it, then freeze it. You can even use it after it has been used as a decoration as long as you don't put a candle in it. Just cut it up and cook it. I usually cook it in the oven that way it's a bit dryer than if you cook it in a pot with water.
ciao

[Deleted]

I didn't know you had to cook it first, good to know! I will probably do that then. Thanks!

[Heather]

I don't know if you do "have" to cook it...but that being said, the consistency will change and I've heard that it's not as well received (eaten ) If you freeze uncooked pumpkin the water in the cells will break through the cell walls (please those of you who have biology degrees feel free to disagree and set me straight and correct my reasoning if I'm wrong). This is something you want to do but what it does is creates a very soggy veggie. I find that it creates a stringy, wet mass that doesn't mix well with the meats and though the dog loves it, the ferrets and cats aren't as fond of it. Cooking it also causes the cell wall to break down, but when you cook it you "steam' off the excess fluids and it's easier to mix and more readily accepted. Just an observation with my guys
ciao

[Deleted]

Interesting question and good to know, thanks for posting this Steph

[Deleted]

I bought two giant pumpkin to carve, so I am thinking I will have tons of pumpkin for ferrets when I'm done

Plus $4 for a whole pumpkin vs. $2 for a small can of pumpkin... will hopefully save some money!