12 Incredible Ways to Hack a Pumpkin

Posted by Amber Dowling on October 4, 2017

There’s no greater tradition than carving out a pumpkin and giving it triangle eyes and a lopsided mouth before the trick or treaters come, except perhaps soaking and roasting all those delicious pumpkin seeds. But this fall, why not get a little creative with your pumpkin? There are myriad other things to do with a hollowed-out pumpkin other than sticking a candle in it. We’ve assembled just a few ideas to help get the inspiration and creativity flowing.

1 of 12

Fill It With Delicious Dip

One of those smooth, medium-sized pumpkins is the perfect vessel for your next holiday dip. The presentation factor alone is enough to wow guests and have them digging in for more, but it also doesn’t really matter what kind of dip you choose. A creamy, cinnamon cream cheese dip is great for graham crackers as dessert, while your run of the mill Greek yogurt dip pairs perfectly with appetizer-friendly, fresh-cut veggies. Try this recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/pumpkin-dip/20296/" target="_blank">Pumpkin Dip</a>
2 of 12

Use It As A Candy Bowl

We see kiddies coming up to the house with their plastic jack o’lanterns all the time — why not take some inspiration from that and use your own pumpkin as a vessel for all of the candy you’re going to hand out (or eat)? It’s certainly a creative way to get into the night’s festivities, if we do say so ourselves.
3 of 12

Cook a Chicken In It

What’s better than roasted chicken with savoury rice? When those grains and the bird are roasted inside a pumpkin, of course. This genius, show-stopping recipe is pretty easy to piece together before it’s slow-roasted for more than two hours in the oven so that all of those gorgeous flavours meld together. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/buzzard-stewed-in-its-entrails-chicken-in-a-pumpkin/17353/" target="_blank">Chicken in a Pumpkin</a>
4 of 12

Put Punch In It

Punch up your pumpkin bowl with some good old-fashioned cocktails (alcoholic or otherwise) at your next Halloween or fall-themed party and watch your guests stare at you in wonderment. We recommend a larger pumpkin that’s been scraped clean for this project, as well as a delicious recipe to go in it. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/zombie-punch/17669/" target="_blank">Zombie Punch</a>
5 of 12

Stuff It And Roast It

We stuff so many other vegetables in our kitchens, so why not stuff savoury pumpkins, too? Basically anything you’d put in a regular old squash goes, from stuffing and ground meats to mushrooms, peppers and onions. In this case, creativity is key. Try this recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/stuffed-baby-squash/4507/" target="_blank">Stuffed Baby Squash</a>
6 of 12

Serve Soup In It

Pumpkin soup is another one of those classic fall dishes that never seems to go out of style, no matter how much spice goes into it. But the next time you whip up a batch, consider serving it in hollowed out mini pumpkins rather than ramekins or bowls. We guarantee that even though it’s the same soup, it will taste infinitely better. Try this recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/whole-pumpkin-pie-soup/20669/" target="_blank">Alton Brown’s Pumpkin Pie Soup</a>
7 of 12

Create A Savoury Risotto

Pumpkin risotto has got to be one of our favourite fall classics. Simple to make and full of hearty fall flavours, this comfort food is an instant hit at family dinners and dinner parties alike. But if you really want to impress your guests, serve your next batch in an actual pumpkin and watch their faces light up like a jack o’lantern. Try this recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/yellow-perch-with-butternut-squash-risotto/16177/" target="_blank">Butternut Squash Risotto</a>
8 of 12

Pack It With Pumpkin Pudding

Yummy, creamy pumpkin pudding is another great taste of fall that's definitely underrated. Rather than letting your next batch settle into ramekins, bowls or fancy cups, hollow out mini pumpkins, pour the pudding in and allow them to set in the fridge. Your guests will think it’s magic. Try this recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/valeries-pumpkin-pudding-for-wolfie/18091/" target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli's Pumpkin Pudding</a>
9 of 12

Make A Healthy Veggie Bowl

OK, so technically this one is like stuffing a pumpkin, but we get so excited by cool vegetarian meals these days that we thought it deserved its own mention. Mix seasonal fall favourites like carrots, sweet potatoes, celery and onion together with some chick peas or beans for added protein, toss with savoury spices like sage and oregano and then bake inside a pumpkin. It’s a brilliant, vegan dish inside the coolest fall vessel around.
10 of 12

Fill It With Thai Curry

Creamy, pumpkin-based curry basically warms you up from the inside out on those cool fall nights. But do you know what warms you up even faster? Taking in the delicious wafting curry from its very own pumpkin bowl. Now who wouldn’t smile at being served a dish like that? Try this recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/thai-curry-pumpkin-soup-with-a-coriander-swirl/12082/" target="_blank">Thai Curry Pumpkin Soup</a>
11 of 12

Make Some Spiced Hot Coconut Cream

We want to dive into this delicious fall offering, which is a riff on hot chocolate that vegans and dairy-lovers alike can enjoy. Know what makes it even more appealing though? When you serve it in mini pumpkin bowls that seem to make fall come to life.
12 of 12

Smother It In Cheese

Cheese gives us life so any excuse we have to use it is a good excuse in our books. Whatever you do fill your pumpkins with, a nice coating of baked cheese will always put your dish over the top. But don’t take it from us; get out there and start experimenting already. Amber Dowling is a freelance lifestyle writer, TV critic and mom. She's a wine enthusiast, yoga lover and all-around player of sports with a penchant for travel, animals and stinky cheese.
Start Over

Next Gallery
The Ultimate Squash Guide: All the Varieties and Their Best Uses
More Galleries