8 Unusual Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkins are a necessity for fall. Whether they're sitting on your front stoop or sitting on the plate in front of you, they are the perfect complement to the brisk weather outside. But there's only so much pumpkin pie one person can eat, so we are here to give you some pumpkin-inspired options for fall that you might not have otherwise tried. And whatever you decide to do with that pumpkin, be sure to keep the seeds. Roasted pumpkin seeds are one of our favorite fall snacks!

However, before you start cooking, make sure that you have adequately cleaned your pumpkin. To do this, rinse the outside of the pumpkin and scrub it with a vegetable brush, and then cut it in half. Scrape out the seeds and fibers on the inside of the pumpkin. Then you can cut it into smaller pieces and place the pieces on a baking pan skin down. Cover the bottom of the pan with water, and preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Cover the pumpkin pieces, and let them cook until they are fork tender. Once it has cooled, you can scoop out the rest of the flesh of the pumpkin. And now you are ready to cook!

Check out the slideshow above to learn eight creative uses for pumpkin.

For more fall-inspired (and orange) recipes, check out How Sweet It Is: Sweet Potato Recipes and GMC Trade Secret's 10 Easy Ways to Use Canned Pumpkin.

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