What Can I Make With Fresh Pumpkin
It’s October… all those beautiful, orange pumpkins are lined up on hay bales in front of every store, and I am trying to figure out what to make with a pumpkin other than a jack-o’-lantern. Besides pumpkin pie, are there recipes for using fresh pumpkin in soups, casseroles, and other desserts?
One thing I know for sure is the pumpkin you carve into your jack-o’-lantern, or set out among your Fall decorations, must not be the pumpkin you cook. If it has been out in the weather for awhile, it’s not suitable for eating. After your carved pumpkin has done its duty decorating your landscape, please add it to your compost pile or feed it to the deer.
Now, back to recipes… when I buy my fresh pumpkin and get it home, what will I make? I’m partial to winter squash and have heard you can substitute pumpkin in recipes that call for squash. Has anyone had success doing that? Also, there were some dessert bars that I had at a potluck some time ago that were delicious. I’m sorry I didn’t track that person down for the recipe. I’m wondering if anyone has a great bar or cookie recipe using fresh pumpkin. One more thing; how does using fresh pumpkin differ from using canned pumpkin? Hope there is someone out there who can help!
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October 16th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Well, it doesn’t really answer your questions directly, nor am I very sure how commonly this is done with halloween pumpkins . . . but . . .
My mother always used to cook the pumpkin seeds from our carved pumpkins. It was simple, she just put some oil or butter on a tray, and sprinkled some salt over the dried seeds, and baked them in the oven. They were always a delicious snack around halloween.
I look forward to seeing some other comments from others though, as I would be kind of curious for some ideas too, especially for those pumpkin bars .. . sound delicious!
October 17th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I’ve mixed pumpkin puree, either canned or homemade, in a cake batter, added pumpkin pie spice, and cooked it and frosted it with cream cheese. Makes a great treat.
October 18th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I’ve read that canned pumpkin actually has the same nutritional benefits of fresh! I have a recipe on my site that I just posted yesterday for pasta with a pumpkin sauce, feel free to check it out!
Pumpkin nut bread is easy to make and tasty as well!
October 20th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Funny how I just made a pumpkin pie yesterday from scatch and im sorry I hate pumpkin nut bread… not good at all.
October 21st, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I haven’t tried pasta with a pumpkin sauce. I will give this a try. Thanks
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:20 am
Actually, i have never use pumpkin in any food. I think it’s time for me to do so but i need to research more. Anyway, thanks for giving me idea.
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:42 am
I love pumpkin bread and pumpkin cake – that is my favorite. I like the pumpkin flavor but I am not a big fan of stuffed pumpkin – my mom is though.
October 24th, 2008 at 6:25 am
In my family we don’t like eating pumpkin, but every Halloween we extract the core, have seeds dried and then eat(they are rich in different vitamins and are very good for health).
November 16th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
I love eating pumpkin.I love pumpkin bread and pumpkin cake.Those are my favorite.Thank you.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:15 am
Fresh Pumpkins are sweet so I recommend that you make a delectable pumpkin soup by adding cream to the pureed cooked pumpkin and put some seasonings and that it. A soup that is best for cold weather especially during holiday season. Or you can also make a spice pumpkin cake,it is also delicious and easy to make. Try them!
December 18th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Personally, i am not really interested about Pumpinks but i believe i need to open my mind for this new food.
February 16th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
I shred mine in the food processor, and then freeze most of it. What I don’t freeze, I feed to my tortoises. They love it. As I run out, just take a bag out of the freezer to thaw and keep a going. It lasts forever. One average pumpkin will fill about 10 one quart freezer bags. I use a bag a month…but my torts are still small. I also mix in dandelion and other grasses for them so they get a good diet.