Homemade Pumpkin Puree
Fall is the perfect time for everything pumpkin! Pumpkin bread just so happens to be one of my favorites and homemade pumpkin purée makes it so much better! Even better is when you’re able to use pumpkins you’ve grown yourself in your cinder block raised garden bed! We planted our very own sweet sugar pie pumpkin seeds and harvested about eight pumpkins!
What Is Pumpkin Puree?
Pumpkin puree is pumpkin that has been baked and removed from the pumpkin skin so it can be blended into a smooth consistency to use in recipes. You usually use sugar pumpkins to make pumpkin puree.
What Kind Of Pumpkins To Use For Pumpkin Puree
Sugar pumpkins, also known as pie pumpkins, are the best to use for pumpkin puree because they are sweeter and have a smoother texture than large carving pumpkins. I grew my own pumpkins using Burpee’s early sweet sugar pie pumpkin seeds and they were delicious. You could also buy sugar pumpkins from the grocery store or your local farmer’s market.
Why Should You Go To The Trouble Of Growing Your Own Food?
It’s quite rewarding to grow your own food and enjoy the fresh produce you’ve grown from start to finish! We have also learned How To Freeze Green Beans and How To Freeze Potatoes For Hash Browns. Not only is it a money saver but you feel better eating it, too!
How To Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree From Scratch
1) Preheat The Oven
Preheat the oven to 350°.
2) Wash And Cut
Wash your pumpkin and cut it in half. I like to use a serrated knife to cut the pumpkins.
3) Scoop
Scoop the insides of the pumpkin out into a colander using an ice cream scoop.
4) Place On A Cooking Sheet
Place pumpkin halves, face down, with about 1/4 inch water on a cooking sheet.
5) Bake
Bake the pumpkin at 350° for 45 minutes to one hour.
6) Separate Pumpkin Seeds
While your pumpkin is baking, separate your pumpkin seeds and get ready to roast them! I use this recipe for roasting my pumpkin seeds and they are delicious!
7) Remove The Pumpkin From The Oven
Remove the pumpkin from the oven and let it cool.
8) Remove The Pumpkin From The Skin
Use an ice cream scoop to remove the soft pumpkin and place it directly in your Vitamix.
This is what your pumpkin will look like when you’re done.
9) Blend In Vitamix
Start your Vitamix on variable one and raise to variable five for 30 seconds, or until smooth, using the tamper. You could also use a food processor or blender. Just add a bit of water if needed.
This is what your pumpkin puree will look like when you’re done!
Go ahead and cook up some wonderful pumpkin bread or your favorite pumpkin treat!
Freezing Pumpkin Puree
No time to bake? You can scoop pumpkin purée into freezer-safe bags for later use. Measure your pumpkin purée in one or two-cup increments and lay it flat in the freezer to make adding it to your recipes easier!
Frequently Asked Questions
Hi! I’m Bridget!
I create printables and DIYs to help you get organized and celebrate special occasions! It’s my mission to inspire you to get creative and find joy in the everyday!
Oh my gosh! That sounds SO good! Hubby’s always wanting to make his own pumpkin pie and bread. I always wait out his urge. It’s delicious, but man, the mess he makes! Now I’m reconsidering. Awesome pictures, Bridget! I guess I’ll be showing this to him later tonight. Thanks! (I think) 🙂