How can you tell when it’s fall? In many regions, the temperature drops, the days grow shorter, the leaves take on vibrant hues of red and gold and fashion-savvy folks start donning knee-high boots and cable-knit sweaters. Also, the season’s signature fruit—the versatile pumpkin—bursts onto the scene in practically every form imaginable.
Without doubt, you’ve already been bombarded with all things pumpkin (including our FREE downloadable pumpkin recipe ebook). We’re talking everything from pumpkin décor and room spray to pumpkin lattes, soup, bread, pie and pasta recipes. Practically everywhere you turn, someone will be peddling the latest and greatest pumpkin wares and preparations. But you might be surprised to learn how many people don’t actually know how to cook a pumpkin.
Don’t worry. We’re about to fix that!
Picking your pumpkin
As you’ve probably noticed, pumpkins come in a variety of shapes, sizes and shades. But that ginormous pumpkin (you know, the one that would make the world’s best jack-o’-lantern) is not the ideal ingredient for your favorite fall recipes. Larger pumpkins are harder to handle and cut, and they tend to be less appetizing than their smaller counterparts.
When choosing a pumpkin for cooking, stick with a smaller fruit (approximately two to six pounds) and look for the words “sugar pumpkin,” “baking pumpkin” or “pie pumpkin” on its label. Not only do these varieties mean less work, they have drier, smoother flesh and tend to be more flavorful.
Also, opt for a pumpkin that’s completely orange—a surefire sign that it’s ripe and ready for you.
Preparing your pumpkin
Ready to cook your pumpkin? FYI: You can wait a few months to do so as long as you store it in a cool, dry place. And because good things come to those who wait, your pumpkin will likely become tastier over time.
Pumpkin can be baked, boiled and even microwaved. Although you can certainly prepare your pumpkin whole, cutting it in half (or in even smaller chunks) is a big time-saver regardless of your cooking method. This also provides an opportunity to scoop out the seeds (which you can later roast!).
Baking:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
- Cut pumpkin in half and place face down in a shallow dish
- Cover pumpkin with foil
- Bake for approximately an hour and a half or until desired tenderness is achieved
- Allow to cool and chop, mash or puree the pumpkin flesh
Boiling:
- Peel pumpkin and chop it into small pieces
- Fill sauce pan with water and place pumpkin inside
- Bring water to a boil and cook until desired tenderness is achieved
- Allow to cool and chop, mash or puree the pumpkin flesh
Microwaving:
- Cut pumpkin in half
- Place on microwave-safe dish
- Cook on high for approximately seven minutes per pound of pumpkin, rotating every two minutes to ensure even cooking
- Allow to cool and chop, mash or puree the pumpkin flesh
Presenting your pumpkin
Pumpkin, like other types of squash, makes a wonderful addition to salads, soups, stir fries, pasta dishes and a variety of baked goods. A simple VitaVibes blog search will yield countless pumpkin recipes.
To take your pumpkin delicacies to the next level, consider serving them in a dish made from—you guessed it—a pumpkin! To create your pumpkin serving dish, simply wash an appropriate-sized pumpkin and slice off its lid. Scoop out the insides and line the pumpkin with plastic wrap. Fill it with your flavorful pumpkin fare and impress your friends and family!