Inside: Skip the canned pumpkins and cook a pumpkin fresh at home! It's amazingly easy to cook a pumpkin and freeze it! You will love the way it tastes!
Until a couple of years ago I always used the canned pumpkin from the store for recipes. Then, my veterinarian (pumpkin is good for dogs 🙂 ) told me how easy it was to cook a pumpkin and make pumpkin puree.
I have cooked pumpkins ever since then and frozen them. Not only do my dogs love getting fresh pumpkins, but I love it better than the canned stuff.
You can also check out how to preserve a carved pumpkin!
How To Cook Fresh Pumpkin
You can buy them on sale. I bought, cooked, pureed, and froze 10 of them. Not only was it cheaper than canned pumpkin, but cooked pumpkin made at home tastes better too. Check out how to cook a pumpkin.
Items Needed To Cook Pumpkins:
- Pumpkins
- Vegetable Brush
- Large Tray
- Aluminum Foil (If desired)
Step 1: You will want to start by washing off the pumpkin. I just put it in the sink and use a vegetable brush to ensure I get all the dirt off.
Step 2: Rinse the pumpkin off with some water and let it dry.
Step 3: You will need a tray large enough to hold your pumpkin. I love this tray from Nordic Ware.
Step 4: Place the pumpkin on the tray and cut it in half.
Step 5: Once the pumpkin is cut in half use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and strings. You can either throw those out or roast the seeds.
Step 6: Place the pumpkin cut side down on the tray. Cook at 350 degrees for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Step 7: When the pumpkin can easily be pierced by a fork it is done.
Step 8: Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
Step 9: Once the pumpkin is cooled you can cut it into smaller pieces and scrape the pumpkin off from the skin.
Step 10: To puree the pumpkin you can add the pumpkin to a food processor. Blend on low speed for about 30 seconds.
How To Store Pumpkin Puree
You can store the pumpkin puree in either a tuperware or freezer safe plastic bags. I like to store them in 1 or 2 cup measurements in small baggies.
Lay them flat in the freezer. Then, when a recipe calls for a measurement I can just pull some out of the freezer.
How Long Does Frozen Pumpkin Last
The pumpkin will last in the freezer for about 12 months. So, just because it isn't pumpkin season doesn't mean you have to settle for canned pumpkin.
You can have the taste of fresh pumpkin all year long with this simple tip on how to cook a pumpkin.
Sarah@TheOrthodoxMama says
Seriously, so helpful. I've been intimidated by the thought of making my own pumpkin puree, but this seems doable! Pinning!
Julie says
Glad I could help and thanks for pinning!
Jim says
I had no idea you could cook the pumpkin, I just figured the pumpkin stuff you get from the store was from another variety of pumpkin! This is great, thanks!
We love roasting the seeds though, just separate it from the threads, roast with some olive oil, salt and pepper and you're good to go. Nice little crunchy snack if you like it.
Julie says
The seeds are so good roasted. I toss some Old Bay on them for a little extra flavor. If only there was an easy way to separate them from the threads. 🙂
Lucinda Nutting says
I've always wanted to be able to make pumpkin treats for my dogs, but I didn't want to have to buy the pre-canned pumpkin puree. Great find! I didn't even know you could bake pumpkins haha
Julie says
My dogs love it! I just put a little spoonful on their food. My little dog refuses to eat his food without pumpkin. 🙂