26 - Friday, October 16, 1992 ~ North Shore News

ENVIRONMENT
Try to keep your pumpkin
out of the garbage pail!

Pegy
Trencelt Whittaker

ECO INFO.

OCTOBER IS the Greater

Vancouver Regional

District’s (GVRD) Waste

Reduction Month, and B.C.

Hydro’s Power Smart

Month. ;

However, these designations
pale beside October’s true title,
namely: Month of the Squash.

Countless pumpkin pies and”
pureed squash dishes adorned

North Shore plates last weekend,

and if even half the single-family

homes in our area carve jack
o’lanterns for Halloween there
could be over 15,000 pumpkins
rolling around North and West-

Vancouver. :

Because disposing of these
seasonal squashes could wreak
‘havoc with our already-taxed
waste disposal systems (well, not
really, but it makes for an inter-
esting thought), I’m passing along

a few ideas from the GVRD that

will keep your pumpkin out of the

garbage pail. -

When hollowing out your pum-
pkin, separate the seeds from the

- stringy fibre, which can be com-
_ posted. The seeds are rich in pro-
tein,. potassium, iron and some
vitamins, so they make 2 good

snack. .

Rinse the seeds, pat them dry
and spread them out to dry well.

Next, spread them in a single layer

on a cookie sheet, salt them even-

ly, and bake at 275°F (140°C).

Stir the seeds often and salt

. OMce or twice as they toast. The
. seeds are ready when they are
brown and crunchy.

The flesh of the pumpkin can
be cooked and used in various
recipes. Cut your pumpkin in half
or, if it is very large, in quarters.

Trim away*any singed portions
or candle wax drips and lay the

shell on a baking shcet with the
hollow side down.

Bake the pumpkin at 350°F
(180°C) for 45 minutes to an
hour, or until tender. Scoop out
the pulp and puree it in a blender
or food processor.

Try turning your Halloween
pumpkin into the following deli-
cacies. Remember, any leftover
pumpkin parts can be composted
— just chop up the shell to speed
decomposition.

Gourmet Pumpkin Pie
29-inch pie shells
3 medium eggs, separated
2c. mashed, cooked pumpkin
Yc. sugar
Y% c. molasses
Ltsp. salt
% tsp. each of cinnamon and
netmeg
2c. whipping cream
6 tbsp. orange flavored liqueur
(optional)

Beat egg whites until they hold
a definite shape. In a large bowl,
beat egg yolks slightly and using
your mixer’s low speed blend in
pumpkin, sugar, molasses, salt,
cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in
whipping cream thoroughly.

Fold in egg whites and liqueur.
Pour mixture into two prepared
pie shells.

Bake on lowest shelf position in
oven at 450°F (230°C) for !0
minutes. Reduce temperature to

325°F (160°C) and continue bak- -

ing for 50 minutes or until pies
are firm in centre.
Pumpkin Muffins
1% c, all-purpose flour
¥2 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
Ve tsp. salt
% tsp. cinnamon -
¥2 tsp. nutmeg
% ce. soft butter
1 large egg
Yc. milk
le. fine grated raw pumpkin
2 c. raisins or nuts (optional)
brown or cinnamon sugar

Combine flour, sugar, baking
powder, salt, cinnamon and
nutmeg. Add the butter, egg,
milk, and pumpkin. and cut in
with pastry blender until just mix-
ed. Lightly stir in raisins or nuts if
desired.

Fill greased muffin pans with
batter until almost full. Sprinkle
with brown sugar. Bake at 400°F
(200°C) for 20 minutes or until
done. Makes 12 muffins.

Compost Queries?

Many compost demonstration
gardens around the regional
district are holding open houses
tomorrow to answer the questions

Saturday, October 17
4 to 8 p.m.
Complimentary

BAVARIAN BUFFET

926-3811

SQUARERIGGER PUB

14th & Marine Dr., West Vancouver

of would-be composters and
gardeners.

On the North Shore, people will
be available to talk to you about
the simple art of composting be-
tween 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at our
two demonstration gardens.

The gardens ate locaved in Park
and Tilford Garden, and at 15th
and Argyle in West Vancouver.

Given away will be written in-

formation on composting and free .

wildflower seeds.
Get Smart!

B.C. Hydro’s annual Power
Smart Night is happening next
Wednesday.

As’ in years past, everyone in
the province is asked to turn off
all unnecessary lights at 8 p.m.
(Remember to leave your front-
door light on for security and to
guide emergency services.)

In 1990, the energy savings

‘from Power Smart Night were

enough to power 24 homes for an
entire year.

success (seksés) n. the accompiishment of
what is desired or aimed at, achievement.
2. adj. mél koirde faqiieb elletim to sard.
3. kimelly

JMELLY

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
926-6499