How to Cook Fresh Pumpkin
81go canned again!
Once you go fresh, you'll never
A lot of recipes call for canned pumpkin, but you will find recipes that call for fresh pumpkin. You can also replace canned pumpkin for fresh even if a recipe calls for canned.
Pumpkins are easy to handle and cook once you know how. Here are some methods that I've found helpful. A lot of these are tips that have been passed on to me from friends and family.
Once the pumpkin is cooked, simply use a food processor or blender to whip it into a pumpkin puree.
You can store unused portions of the pumpkin puree in the refrigerator, or freeze in ziplock bags until you are ready to use it.
If you compare fresh pumpkin to canned pumpkin (sight, smell, and taste), you will definitely choose fresh everytime. When it is so easy to make, why wouldn't you?
Option #1: The Oven
Cut pumpkin open and scoop out the seeds. Place pumpkin halves facedown in a baking dish. Add 1/2" of water to pan: this helps keep the pumpkin flesh moist.
Bake at 450º until you can pierce the skin with a fork (about 45 minutes to an hour).
Scoop flesh out of shell with a spoon.
Step by Step Pictures of Option #1
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Option #2: The Microwave
Cut pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds. Cut the pumpkin into large chunks (so it will fit in microwave), leaving skin on. Place pumpkin chunks in a shallow, microwave-safe dish with a lid (or cover with plastic wrap).
Spray the cut pumpkin surfaces with cooking spray, and cover. Cook on high for 15 minutes, or until tender (feels soft and cooked).
Alternately, you can add water to the dish, eliminating the spray, to keep the pumpkin from drying out.
Option #3: The Stovetop
Cut pumpkin in half, scooping out the seeds. Then, cut pumpkin into large chunks, but leave the skin on.
Place chunks in a large steamer basket (or a colander placed inside a dutch oven, with water on the bottom). Steam for 20 minutes, or until pumpkin is tender.
Check out these great pumpkin recipes!
- Pumpkin Recipes: Easy & Yummy
Tasty recipes for Perfect Pumpkin Pancakes, Profound Pumpkin Pudding, Cheesy Pumpkin Soup, and Snackable Pumpkin Bread. - More Simple Pumpkin Recipes
More tasty pumpkin recipes: Pumpkin Pie Muffins, Pumpkin Pudding Pies, and Pumpkin Mashed "Mock" Potatoes. - How to Cook Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds taste great, plus they are really good for you. You can add these yummy seeds to salads, or keep them handy for a healthy snack. These are two great methods for cooking pumpkin seeds. These... - Pumpkin Dessert Recipes: Low Point & Low Calorie
The holiday season is abundant with tasty temptations, but these recipes will help you keep your waistband from growing: Pumpkin Cheesecake Pudding (2 points), Pumpkin Muffins (3 points), Pumpkin Fluff (2 points).
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Comments
Canned pumpking???? Never heard of such a thing! Guess it is much easier to open a tin than cut open and peel a pumking. Bet you are right though, the difference in flavours must be abysmal.
I have a pumpkin sitting on the front steps of the hosue as decor. I'll try your recipe. Do you do all your own pictures - they are very good?
I do most of my own pictures, so thank you. Let me know how the pumpkin goes!
Thank you for this hub! It's hard to find info about cooking fresh pumpkin. I did it once and it worked out great. The next year something went wrong and it was too watery! I'll try to follow your instructions this year. THANKS.
This sounds good I will try it and let you know.
Incidentally I think your photos are terrific
How long does it last once it is cooked? I would like to cook em up tomorrow but wait until Tuesday to use em.
Thanks!!!
It stays good, in the fridge, for about 5 days.
Your instructions were the best yet! I have my pumpkin in the oven now! Can't wait to make my pumpkin cheesecake!! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
My Pumpkin is hudge - are all pumpkins good for cooking?
Generally, the pumpkins you buy for decoration or jackolanterns are not for cooking. Sugar pumpkins, and other pumpkins typically sold in the produce area of your grocery store are for cooking. I've never done it, but I know people who have successfully cooked white and yellow pumpkins.
do you add anything to the pumpkin puree? or just cook as is?
Cook as is. When you use it in recipes, the recipe often calls for spices.
Oh my goodness. I'm obsessed with pumpkin recipes so I am favoriting you right now. I make some delicious pumpkin pasta, and I'll be posting the recipe soon enough. I know pumpkins are usually used for dessert-y dishes, but they are really delicious in dinners too- like soup, risotto, and pasta (believe it or not!). Yum! I'm hungry now.
I Just want to thank you for posting it on the web I have never cooked pumkin before So I just hope it turns out right so I can use it to make pies this thanks giveing
Thanks for the excellent tips -- I'm baking pumpkins like crazy today and accidentally discovered that leaving them in 5-10 minutes past their "done" time results in the skin blistering a bit. This allows you to peel the skin off quickly and easily without scooping out the insides. It speeds up the process and results in perfectly done pumpkin.
Great tip Marilynne--thanks!
I like to use my cheese slicer to peel the pumpkin first. But it sounds easier to cook it first!
Great tip!
Thanks for the simple instructions.
thanks for the instutions i've been looking for instructions all day i hope it works for me!
Thanks for the cooking instructions of the lil pie pumpkins... everyplace i went to online would not post how to cook them...
I have read a few other sites and I have learned that baking with the skin on produces a much better flavor; however, your instructions have been the easiest to follow. Thank you so much for the precise instructions and pictures. Over the past few years, I have always cubbed and boiled my pumpkins. It is time consuming and messy (especially draining the water logged meat). I am excited to say that I will be baking my first pumpkin this year.
How do you know if a pumpkin can be cooked? I am reading about pie pumpkins-I bought some a little bigger at a benefit auction and put them in front of my house and am wondering if they would be good cooked. Any hints to figure out if it is a cooking pumpkin?
Hi
Ive always cooked my pumpkin at a lower temp of 350F for about a hour, cut in large chunks, skin down covered with foil in a glass dish with about 1/3 inch water in the bottom with good results.
So after reading you cook yours skin up, I was wondering if there is a reason for cooking the pumpkin so hot, and skin up as opposed to skin down?
Thanks!
Lorine, if baking it at a lower temp work for you, then that is great. Perhaps you bake smaller pumpkins?
Also, you cover yours, so it isn't necessary to cook yours skin up. However, if you do not cover it, it is better to cook it skin up.
I admit that I've never used fresh pumpkins. Always wanted to try it, but was a little nervous. I'll take your tips here and actually give it a try.
Thanks.
Question - I read earlier that you cannot use jack-o-lantern pumpkins - we grew pumpkins in our sad little garden and luckily (unlike everything else) we had one pumpkin - we cannot remember what kind it is, but it is about 8-10 inches tall and round... how can I tell if this is a pumpking okay to use for baking? Thanks!
Hi, I'm from South Africa and for us it is always strange that people are not completely aware of all the wonders of pumpkin. For us, fresh pumpkin is almost a staple. We mostly eat it as a sweet dish with our customary meat, rice, potatoes and green bean "stew," I suppose that is what you will call our way of cooking grean beans. Loved your Hub!
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ForTheLove says:
2 years ago
I really like the idea of fresh pumpkin! This is one recipe I'll be pointing my cooking-oriented friends to since I don't cook a whole lot, myself. I'm certainly not opposed to sampling pies, though, of course! lol