Inside: Skip the canned pumpkins and cook a pumpkin 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 your own puree. I have cooked up pumpkins ever since then and freezing them. Not only do my dogs love getting fresh pumpkin, but I love it better than the canned stuff.
I like to wait until after Halloween and buy them on clearance. Usually the pie pumpkins and the carving pumpkins go on sale then. Last year I was able to get 10 pumpkins for $.50 each. I cooked, pureed, and froze them all. Not only was it cheaper than canned pumpkin, cooked pumpkin made at home tastes better too. Check out how to cook a pumpkin.
Start by washing off the pumpkin. I just put it in the sink and  use a vegetable brush to make sure I get all the dirt off. Wash it off with some water and let it dry.
You will need a large tray to cook a pumpkin on. I love this tray from Nordic Ware. It fits a pumpkin perfectly. Place the pumpkin on the tray and cut it in half.
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.
Place the pumpkin cut side down on the tray. Cook at 350 degrees for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
When the pumpkin is able to easily be pierced by a fork it is done. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
Once the pumpkin is cooled you can cut it into smaller pieces and scrape the pumpkin off from the skin.
To puree the pumpkin you can add the pumpkin to a food processor. Blend on low speed for about 30 seconds.
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. Then, when a recipe calls for a measurement I can just pull some out of the freezer.
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.
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. 🙂
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. 🙂
[email protected] 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!