Cooking whole pumpkins can seem difficult, especially if you've never cooked any pumpkin before. One of the secrets of cooking pumpkin squash is choosing small pumpkin pie. This pumpkin is sweeter, tastier, and easier to work with than the larger pumpkin varieties. Another secret is to cook the pumpkin with the skin on. The tough skin of the pumpkin will be easier to peel once the flesh is cooked. There are many ways to cook pumpkin, including roasting, slow cooking, microwaving, and steaming.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Washing and Cutting Pumpkin
Step 1. Wash the skin
Rinse the pumpkin under running water and scrub the skin around the stem with a vegetable brush or a clean rag. This step will clean the pumpkin of any debris or debris left over from the planting or shipping process. Pat the pumpkin dry with a clean towel.
You don't need to use soap, detergent, or other cleaning products to wash pumpkin
Step 2. Cut the stems
Transfer the pumpkin to a cutting board. Hold it in one hand and place the tip of the sharp knife about 2 cm from the stem. Insert the knife at a 45-degree angle down to cut the area around and under the stem. Cut the entire pumpkin stem at this angle, then pull it out.
Be careful when using a sharp knife. Don't stick it into your body
Step 3. Cut the pumpkin in half
Hold the pumpkin tightly in one hand and use a large chef's knife to cut it into two equal parts. This is why choosing a small pumpkin is better; because it is easier to hold and the meat is easier to cut.
Step 4. Remove the seeds and stringy flesh of the pumpkin with a spoon
Place two pieces of pumpkin on a cutting board, cutting off both sides. Use a large spoon to remove the seeds and stringy flesh from the center. Discard stringy pumpkin flesh.
Step 5. Roast the pumpkin seeds (optional)
You can roast the pumpkin seeds if you like and don't want to throw them away. Separate the pumpkin seeds from the stringy flesh, rinse, and transfer to a colander to dry. Bake the pumpkin seeds at 160 degrees Celsius for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Allow these seeds to cool and enjoy as a snack, with salads, or on cakes and breads
Part 2 of 4: Cooking Whole Pumpkins
Step 1. Bake the pumpkin in the oven for 1 hour
Preheat the oven to 150 degrees Celsius. Transfer 2 pieces of pumpkin to a grill pan then arrange so that the skin is facing up. Pour about 0.5 cm of water in the bottom of the pan to keep the pumpkin moist. Place the pumpkin in the oven and bake for about 1 hour or until the flesh is tender and can be pierced with a fork.
Roasting pumpkin in the oven is one of the most popular cooking techniques because it brings out the pumpkin flesh flavor
Step 2. Slow cook the pumpkin for 4 hours
Transfer the pumpkin pieces to the slow cooker, arranging the skins facing up. Pour about 2 cm of water into the bottom of the slow cooker to prevent the pumpkin from drying out. Put the lid on the slow cooker and select a high temperature. Cook the pumpkin for about 4 hours until the flesh is tender.
This technique takes the most time. The advantage, however, is that you can leave the pumpkin and do something else while you wait
Step 3. Microwave the pumpkin for 15-20 minutes
Place the pumpkin pieces in a microwave-safe bowl. Pour about 2.5 cm of water then put on the microwave-proof lid. Leave the corner of the bowl open to allow the moisture to escape. Cook the pumpkin on high for 15 minutes. Check the pumpkin for doneness and continue cooking at 5-minute intervals until the flesh is soft, tender, and easy to pierce with a fork.
Using the microwave is the quickest technique for cooking pumpkin
Step 4. Steam the pumpkin for 8-12 minutes
Place the steaming strainer into a large saucepan. Place the pumpkin pieces in it. Fill the pot with 2-5 cm of water. Make sure the water is not in direct contact with the pumpkin. Put the lid on the pot and bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the water boils, use medium heat and steam the pumpkin for 8-12 minutes until soft.
- You can also use a special steamer. Fill the bottom of the steamer with water to the minimum mark and cook the pumpkin for 8-12 minutes.
- The advantage of steaming is that the pumpkin skin absorbs a lot of water, making it very easy to peel.
Part 3 of 4: Puree Pumpkin After Cooking
Step 1. Let the pumpkin cool for 1 hour
Once the meat is soft and tender, remove the pumpkin from the oven, slow cooker, microwave, or steamer. Protect your hands with cloth gloves and transfer the pumpkin pieces to a cooling rack. Set aside the pumpkin for 30-60 minutes until cool and safe to touch with your hands.
Step 2. Peel off the skin
Once the pumpkin is cool enough to touch, use your fingers to peel the skin off. The pumpkin skin will come off in the form of a sheet. However, try to spare as much meat as possible. Use a sharp knife to peel away any hard, hard-to-remove areas.
Step 3. Cut the pumpkin flesh into cubes
Transfer the peeled pumpkin flesh to a cutting board, cutting the cut side down. Cut into cubes measuring 2 cm. You can use this diced pumpkin flesh for salads, soups, baked goods, and other dishes, or puree and use it for cakes, breads, or other recipes.
Step 4. Puree the pumpkin into a puree with a blender
Place the diced pumpkin in a blender to puree it. Puree the pumpkin for about 3 minutes until soft and free of lumps. Each 15cm diameter pumpkin will provide 2-3 cups (450-675 grams) of pumpkin puree.
You can also use a food processor, hand blender, potato masher, or food grinder instead of a blender
Step 5. Strain the pumpkin puree overnight
Line the filter with a disposable coffee filter or a clean cheese cloth. Pour the pumpkin puree into a colander and cover with plastic. Place the strainer over a large bowl then place it in the refrigerator. Leave the pumpkin puree overnight.
If you don't strain the pumpkin puree, it will contain too much water and affect the taste and proportions in the recipe
Part 4 of 4: Using and Storing Pumpkin After Cooking
Step 1. Add to soups or stews
Pumpkin is a type of pumpkin and pumpkin soup has a texture and taste similar to pumpkin soup. You can make pumpkin soup from pumpkin puree, or you can add cooked pumpkin pieces right away to soups and stews.
Step 2. Use for pie filling
Pumpkin pie is a popular dessert for the holidays, whether it's Christmas or Thanksgiving (in the US, Canada, etc.) and there's no better way to make a special pie than using homemade pumpkin puree. What's more, you're free to add whatever seasoning you like, some of the popular ones include:
- Cinnamon
- Allspice
- Clove
- Ginger
- Nutmeg
Step 3. Mix with oatmeal
Pumpkin porridge makes a delicious addition to oatmeal and adds a thick, strong flavor to this breakfast dish. Mix cup (about 60 grams) of pumpkin puree into cooked oatmeal then season with whatever you like, such as brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, or milk.
Step 4. Make pumpkin buns or cakes
Pumpkin buns and cakes are especially popular in the fall and around holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving. There are so many different breads and cakes you can make from pumpkin puree, such as:
- Pumpkin bread
- Cookies
- Pancake
- Pumpkin Cake
Step 5. Store the rest in the refrigerator for up to 1 week
Transfer the pumpkin puree or diced pumpkin to an airtight container and place in the refrigerator. As long as it is stored in cold temperatures and kept out of the air, pumpkin can last up to 7 days.
Step 6. Freeze pumpkin for up to 3 months
Transfer the pumpkin puree or diced pumpkin to an airtight, freezer-safe container or plastic bag. For ease of use, divide and freeze every 1 cup (about 225 grams) of pumpkin in a separate container.
