I'm addicted to pumpkin puree. Maybe it's the pregnancy, maybe it's not. But, I had a hard time reserving this pumpkin puree as an ingredient for my recipes rather than just eating it straight. The texture is so smooth and I can not wait to make this as baby food next Fall.
Making your own puree versus buying canned pumpkin is so rewarding. It's easy to do, and it gives your home a refreshing Fall smell. Sugar or Pie pumpkins are the best to use for making puree and tastiest for using in recipes. I found mine at a local farmers stand for only $2 each, where the next day at the grocery store the same size was selling for $4 each. So, I definitely recommend checking a farmer stand, first, to save money. Plus, you are supporting your local farmers. Another rewarding feeling! 🙂
I didn't follow anyone's recipe and just roasted as I know to roast squash, then scooped out the flesh and pureed it in my blender. You can also use a food processor or mash it with a fork. Depends on the consistency you like. Here is some pumpkin math I found in a local Michigan food magazine when I was visiting family for my baby shower. I found this very helpful when deciding how much pumpkin puree I actually needed:
Pumpkin Math:
Plan a half pound of fresh pumpkin per serving - most of what you buy will be discarded as peel and seeds.
- 1 fresh 5-pound pumpkin = about 4-½ cups cooked, mashed pumpkin
- 1 pound fresh pumpkin = about 1 cup cooked, mashed pumpkin
- 1 15-ounce can pumpkin = 1-¾ cups mashed pumpkin
- 1 29-ounce can pumpkin = 3-½ cups mashed pumpkin
Pumpkin Puree
Makes 4 cups puree
2 sugar or pie pumpkins (2 lbs each)
Preheat oven to 325˚F. Cut pumpkins vertically in half from stem to bottom. Scoop out the seeds and stringy membranes. (Clean and reserve seeds for later use. Recipe to follow shortly.)
Place halves flesh side down on a baking sheet. Add one cup of water.
Bake for 60 - 90 minutes, until flesh is tender and can easily be scooped from the skin. Mine were ready in 60 minutes.
Scoop out the flesh and puree in a blender or food processor. Or, use a fork to mash, depending on desired consistency.
*Strain through a cheesecloth or coffee filter to thicken your puree, if desired.
Source: Pennies on a Platter Original
allisonmn says
I am officially trying this, this weekend! I'm obsessed with pumpkin and was sad to see it unavailable at markets after the holidays.
susan says
oops! that comment was supposed to go on the pumpkin dip entry!
susan says
I just made this leaving out all the sugar (only used about 1.5 tblsp maple syrup) and it was excellent. Very good on graham crackers and gala apples.
Sonya says
Ok thats where I went wrong. I used a regular sized one. I will look for the sugar/pie pumpkins. I live in the netherlands so finding pumpkins at all is a hunt in itself! lol However I spotted some in germany and need to quickly find one before they are gone. Thank you so much for the wonderful tips!
Sonya says
When you make your own puree does it still have the strong pumpkin flavor of the canned stuff? I tried to do it myself last year and barely got any pumpkin flavor at all. So Im wondering if I had a less than stellar pumpkin or if that was normal?
Pennies on a Platter says
Hi Sonya. My puree has a great pure pumpkin flavor. Did you use a sugar/pie pumpkin? If you use the Jack-o-Lantern size, I imagine it may not taste as good. Never tried it, but have read it's best to use the small pie pumpkins. To answer your question, no, I don't think that's normal. Give it another try and let me know what happens! Also, try buying your pumpkins fresh at the farm stand.
And, just in case... (I'm sure you know this)... make sure you're comparing it to canned pumpkin puree, and not canned pumpkin pie filling. There are extra spices included with the canned pumpkin pie filling. 🙂
culinarypilgrim says
Thanks for the recipe! I'm totally going to try this!
heather says
that's some beautiful pumpkin puree! and i appreciate that helpful pumpkin math 🙂 they should post that at the pumpkin patch in october!
you know another use for pumpkin puree? this one's a little gross. my vet always tells me to give it to my pup if she's, uh, backed up. works pretty well.
Nicole says
I have been thinking about doing this because I have been finding all these delicious looking pumpkin recipes this fall and I can not find any canned pumpkin puree here in Fairbanks. Unfortunately the Farmer's Market is closed for the season and the pie pumpkins in the grocery are about $9 each!
chocolate shavings says
I'm not pregnant and I'm craving this too!
lola says
that looks so good! i love pumpkin. i never thought of making my own pumpkin puree.