How to Cook Pumpkins

Guide Note How to Cook Pumpkins will show you the simple process of making your very own fresh pumpkin puree. And don't let those pumpkin seeds go to waste. Make them into a healthy snack or use as a garnish for other dishes such as salads, soups or cookies.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Step 1: Choosing Your Pumpkin
• Step 2: Preparation
• Step 3: Methods of Cooking
• Step 4: Pureeing and Storing
• References

Top 10 Pumpkin Varieties for Cooking

1. Autumn Gold
2. Baby Pam
3. New England Pie
4. Prize Winner
5. Small Sugar
6. Spirit
7. Spookie
8. Sugar Baby
9. Sweet Pie
10. Triple Treat

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Introduction

• The pumpkin is a winter squash that has come to symbolize the autumn season in the United States and is used during Halloween and Thanksgiving as both decoration and food. Pumpkin can be used in a variety of recipes from pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread and pumpkin cheesecake to pumpkin cookies, pumpkin bars and pumpkin soup. Canned pumpkin puree is readily available in most grocery stores, but it's easy to make your own and reap the benefits of the fresh flavor in your favorite recipes.

Step 1: Choosing Your Pumpkin

• 

  (Creative Commons photo by Tambako the Jaguar)
  Pumpkins that are great for carving and making Jack-o'-Lanterns are not the best for cooking and eating. Keep the following in mind when choosing your pumpkin:

1. Look for smaller pie or sweet pumpkin varieties which have a much sweeter taste.¹
2. The pumpkin should be heavy for its size and free of any bruises or soft spots.^{2 3}
3. A 3½ to 4 pound pumpkin should yield about 1 to 1½ cups of pumpkin puree.³

Step 2: Preparation

1. Place newspaper down on your work surface for easy cleanup later.²
2. Rinse the pumpkin in cool water and pat dry.
3. Use a sharp serrated knife to remove the stem.
4. Cut the pumpkin in half.
5. Scoop out the stringy mass and the seeds.⁴
   • Save the seeds to use later.
6. Discard the newspaper, stem and stringy innards.

Step 3: Methods of Cooking

• There are several ways to cook your raw pumpkin depending on your own personal preference. Roasting takes the longest amount of time, but adds a richer carmelized flavor to the pumpkin flesh.

Roasting

1. 

   (Creative Commons photo by moonrat42)
   Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place the pumpkin halves cut side down on a baking sheet.
3. Put in the oven for an hour or until the flesh is tender.²

Boiling/Steaming

1. Cut the pumpkin halves into smaller chunks.
2. Place the pumpkin pieces in a pot of boiling water or in a steamer above boiling water.
3. Cover the pot and cook the pumpkin for roughly 20 to 30 minutes or until soft and tender.⁵
4. Drain the pumpkin in a colander.

Microwaving

1. Place the pumpkin halves cut side down on a microwave safe dish.
2. Set the microwave to cook on high and for 7 minutes per pound. ¹
3. Check the pumpkin pieces for tenderness by stabbing with a fork.²
   • If the pumpkin isn't soft enough, cook for 1-2 minute increments until it can be easily scooped away from the skin.⁴

Step 4: Pureeing and Storing

• Once your pumpkin is fully cooked, allow it to cool enough so you can handle it.²

1. On a clean work surface, use a spoon to scoop the flesh away from the skin.
2. Puree the pumpkin pieces in a food processor or mash them with a potato masher or food mill.²
3. Place the pumpkin puree in freezer safe plastic bags or containers.³
4. Pumpkin puree can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days or stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.¹

• Use your homemade pumpkin puree in any recipe that requires canned pumpkin and taste the goodness!

• About.com: How to Cook Pumpkin

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References for How to Cook Pumpkins

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} All Recipes: Pumpkin
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5} Tony Tantillo: Pumpkin
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} The Pumpkin Farm: FAQ
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Pumpkin Patches: Pumpkin Cooking
5. ↑ About.com: Pumpkin