Making your personal pumpkin puree is ridiculously straightforward, and the result’s so a lot better than something you’ll discover in a can. With only one sugar pumpkin, you possibly can create a creamy puree that provides recent pumpkin taste to all of your favourite fall recipes. From pies to soups and past, this simple recipe delivers that homey, from-scratch contact.
Why Our Recipe
- Simply flip sugar pumpkins into pumpkin puree that canned variations simply can’t match up with.
- Simple directions and tremendous straightforward to do to be used in your whole favourite pumpkin recipes calling for pumpkin puree.
- Roast a number of pumpkins at a time and freeze it for later use.
Roast a number of pumpkins directly, and also you’ll have recent pumpkin puree able to go for months. Whether or not you’re baking, cooking, or mixing it into smoothies, this can be a recipe you’ll come again to each fall as quickly as you see the sugar pumpkins pop up in shops.
What’s a sugar pumpkin?
Sugar pumpkins, also called pie pumpkins, are small, spherical pumpkins that usually weigh between 2 to 4 kilos. In contrast to the big pumpkins used for carving, sugar pumpkins are grown particularly for cooking and baking. Jack-o-lantern pumpkins are bland and watery, whereas sugar pumpkins have the wealthy pumpkin taste you’re in search of whenever you consider pumpkin puree.
You’ll usually discover sugar pumpkins within the produce part of most U.S. grocery shops in the course of the fall months, beginning round mid-September and lasting by means of November. They’re additionally broadly out there at farmers’ markets and pumpkin patches. Make sure to seize a pair whereas they’re in season—they’re excellent for stocking up and freezing for later use!
Scooping Out Guts and Seeds
Scooping out pumpkin seeds could be a little messy, however at the least it isn’t exhausting! After you’ve reduce your sugar pumpkin in half, seize a sturdy spoon (or perhaps a melon baller you probably have one) to scrape out the seeds and pulp. Begin across the edges and work your solution to the center, urgent firmly to loosen all the pieces up. If it’s providing you with a tough time, you can even use your fingers to tug out the larger chunks—don’t be afraid to get in there!
When you’ve received the seeds and pulp out, give them a fast rinse in a colander to take away the stringy bits. And don’t neglect, these seeds are excellent for roasting, so set them apart for a scrumptious snack!
Pureeing Tools Choices
On the subject of pureeing your roasted pumpkin, you’ve received a couple of choices so you should utilize whichever of those you have already got readily available.
Meals Processor: That is the simplest and most effective choice. Simply toss the roasted pumpkin flesh into the processor, and mix till clean. You may must scrape down the perimeters a few instances, nevertheless it’ll provide you with a superbly silky puree very quickly.
Blender: For those who don’t have a meals processor, a blender works nice too! Simply be sure that to mix in small batches and add a splash of water if wanted to assist issues alongside. You might have to cease and stir often to get it absolutely clean.
Potato Masher: Don’t have a processor or blender? No drawback! An excellent old school potato masher will work simply nice. Simply preserve mashing till it’s clean.
Utilizing Your Pumpkin Puree
Pumpkin puree is so scrumptious by itself, it may be loved identical to mashed potatoes! Serve it as a aspect dish with just a little butter, salt, and pepper for a easy, cozy fall meal. It’s also possible to sweeten it with a drizzle of maple syrup and cinnamon for an ideal autumn deal with.
On the subject of baking, your do-it-yourself puree can simply be used rather than canned pumpkin in any recipe. One 15-ounce can of pumpkin puree is roughly equal to 1¾ cups of do-it-yourself puree. Use it in all of your favourite fall recipes like pumpkin pie, muffins, breads, and even smoothies.
Earlier than utilizing the puree in any recipe, although, be sure that it has cooled to room temperature.
Storage & Freezing Directions
Refrigerate pumpkin puree in an hermetic container for as much as 1 week.
Freeze in parts of 1 or 2 cup servings for simple use in recipes. Place the parts in freezer-safe resealable baggage or hermetic containers, and lay them flat within the freezer to save lots of house. Retailer frozen for as much as 3 months.
To thaw switch it to the fridge and let it defrost in a single day. For those who’re in a rush, you can even thaw it by inserting the sealed bag in a bowl of chilly water for faster outcomes. As soon as thawed, give the puree stir earlier than utilizing.