Bring On the Pumpkins: How to Cook with Fresh Pumpkin

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

04 Nov 2007 03:44 AM

I bought my first cans of pumpkin puree yesterday. (This really means that for the first time this season, canned pumpkin was on sale.) Between now and Thanksgiving, I will make approximately 50 pumpkin pies, and sundry other pumpkin things like bread, biscuits, and cookies. I generally use canned pumpkin because it's easier and it is healthier. (Go figure--the processing of food actually makes it healthier!) However, on occasion I'll use fresh pumpkin either because it is cheaper or because honestly, I think fresh pumpkin pie tastes better.

In any case, if you use fresh pumpkin here is a how to cook's guide for getting perfect results!

Get the Right Pumpkin

Using fresh pumpkin is one instance when bigger isn't better. Bigger field pumpkins are bread specifically to be used as jack 'o lanterns. They are too stringy to use. So ask your grocer to help you find the smaller, darker, sweet pie pumpkins. A four pound pumpkin will yield approximately 1 ½ cups of mashed pumpkin puree for your baked goodies.

Getting From Pumpkin to Pumpkin Mush

I personally think that baking the pumpkin is the easiest way to do it. Cut the pumpkin in half and discard the stem section and stringy pulp. Save the seeds to dry and roast. In a shallow baking dish, place the two halves face down and cover with foil. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for about 1½ hours for a medium-sized sugar pumpkin, or until tender. Once the baked pumpkin has cooled, scoop out the flesh and puree or mash it.

You can also boil it but it requires peeling the pumpkin (before boiling) and chopping it up and then boiling it until pieces are tender. Then you would mash it. It's likely that if you choose to boil it, you will probably want to used canned next time. . .but I guess to each his own.

And yes, in case you're wondering, some of those 50 plus pumpkin recipes will surely find their way to the food blog soon!

Things to put your newly mashed pumpkin into:

3 Ways to Do Pumpkin Seeds

Thanksgiving Appetizers: Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin Oatmeal

Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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Michele Cheplic (37339) 04 Nov 2007 04:24 AM

50 pies?! Are you going into the pie business? Or are you feeding the NY Jets... or are they going to your local Salvation Army? I can't imagine your family loves pumpkin pie that much. Then again...

Valorie Delp (49340) 04 Nov 2007 04:34 AM

Truth be told, I hate pumpkin pie. ;-) You are right. . .we are giving them away. . .

I think that I'm going to blog about it in the homeschooling section though but basically it's a holiday ministry to some men at a drug rehab center who are often feeling the sting of bad choices during the holiday season. We actually do between 75 and 100 pies in between now and Christmas. We had to slow down for the last two years because of the twins but they are 29mos. . .and ripe for getting into the family philanthropy. ;-)

mmouse (25) 05 Nov 2007 01:09 PM

You truely amaze me!! I don't know how you do all this cooking sometimes from scratch, and do homeschooling and keep track of 5 little turkey's. God Bless You!!!

Valorie Delp (49340) 05 Nov 2007 01:16 PM

Well see. . .I have my own little miniature army of slave labor! LOL

QueenAngie Central Illinois, USA (60081) 05 Nov 2007 08:12 PM

You are amazing, Valerie! Those pies are a wonderful ministry to those men in need.

My grandmother used to make pumpkin pies using the fresh pumpkin. That's a lot of work!

Even Weight Watchers encourages pumpkin due to the high fiber content.

Bring on the pumpkin pie - always a favorite.

Valorie Delp (49340) 06 Nov 2007 03:04 AM

Well thank you ladies. I assure you. . .I don't do this by myself. On the weekends during the holiday, baking is the family past time. It works out well. . .it warms the apartment, it's a family activity, and it keeps my kids occupied so that they're not bouncing off the walls. And dh does the pie crust. ;-)