00:00 With Halloween just around the corner, there's no doubt that the pumpkin reigned supreme during
00:04 the month of October. Its bright orange colors, its sweet taste, and its versatility that allows
00:10 it to be used in the kitchen as well as carved and placed on the stoop secures it as the mascot
00:15 of fall. But can you eat the pumpkin you left outside as a jack-o'-lantern? According to
00:21 Tasting Table, while there are many different kinds of pumpkins out there, the ones that are
00:26 most often sold for Halloween festivities are called Howden pumpkins. Howden pumpkins are not
00:32 intended to be used for pies or soups, and the majority of them end up in the landfill after
00:38 being carved as jack-o'-lanterns and left outside. HuffPost reports having the pumpkin as a decoration
00:44 and then turning it into food may seem like a good way to avoid food waste, but food safety
00:49 should be considered to avoid any risks of foodborne illnesses. Pumpkins are a low-acid
00:55 veggie. Once cut and set at room temperature, pathogens that may be present will grow rapidly
01:00 on the flesh. So while you technically can eat the jack-o'-lantern pumpkin, it's not recommended. But
01:06 if you insist, the pumpkin should only be used as a lantern for a day so it doesn't start rotting
01:12 and decomposing, attracting nastiness and flies. Times may be tough, but food safety and your health
01:18 come before anything.
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