F THE seasons had a mascot, then pumpkins would be the one for fall. Pumpkins are more than just a highly nutritious fruit full of rich antioxidants, fiber and vitamins; they are also great additions to fall menus and festive, holiday decor. Here are five ways that you can put the picturesque pumpkin to use:

• For seasonal cooking, create rich and savory dishes using pumpkins, from breakfasts to desserts. Pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin soup, pumpkin risotto, pumpkin cake, pumpkin pie ... with this special gourd, delicious menu ideas are practically limitless.
• Give your home a cozy, fall feel with a strikingly colorful pumpkin-scape using varying sizes of small pumpkins. Purchase festive ribbons in fall colors such as burnt-orange, or ribbons that are Thanksgiving-themed. Wrap a piece of ribbon around the center circumference of a pumpkin to find out how long of a piece you will need, then cut the ribbon. Attach double-stick tape to the wrong side of the ribbon then stick and wrap the ribbon around the pumpkin. Placed in a large bowl, these pumpkins--with a light, decorative touch to them--add great holiday spirit to any room.
• Roast the seeds! Roasting pumpkin seeds is as easy as separating the seeds from the pumpkin flesh and strings, drying them out, and roasting. With a subtly sweet and nutty flavor and chewy texture, they are a tasty snack food that is nutritious too. Pumpkin seeds are a very good source of magnesium and manganese, and a good source of the minerals copper, iron and zinc. Add healthy roasted pumpkin seeds to trail mix recipes, sprinkle on top of mixed green salads, or add to your favorite cold or hot cereals.
• Serve your Thanksgiving soup in a festive soup tureen made from a large pumpkin. Wash the outside of the pumpkin with warm, soapy water then dry off. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the top of the pumpkin off. Slice the seeds and the pulp off of the 'lid' and set lid aside. Scoop out the pulp and seeds from the pumpkin and discard. After cleaning out the pumpkin, brush a thin layer of lemon juice onto the cut surfaces on the top of the pumpkin to help prevent discoloration.
• If you have a compost pile, add your pumpkin(s) to it after Thanksgiving. Sometimes though, if left in a mass, your pumpkin could mold, so be sure to smash your pumpkin into small pieces before adding it to your compost pile. Composting your pumpkins is good for the environment, and the following year you'll have great compost for your flowers and garden. If you are concerned about the seeds growing in your compost, cut them in half before adding them to the pile.