You can use this easy pumpkin puree recipe to prepare your favorite pumpkin recipes such as this pumpkin spice oatmeal in less than an hour.
In summary:
- Wash the pumpkin, peel the skin, and scoop out the seeds
- Steam or roast the pumpkin pieces for 15-30 minutes or until soft
- Blend the cooked pumpkin until smooth
This article details exactly how to make a homemade pumpkin puree, the best type of pumpkin to use, and how to store it.
The fact is, this is one of the easiest pumpkin recipes to make and it tastes so much better than canned pumpkin puree. You can make a batch of pumpkin puree and store it for pumpkin pie, smoothies, oatmeal, and more.
Also, if you like to buy a lot of pumpkins for fall, this is a perfect way to store fresh pumpkins for a long time.
It’s really a shame that pumpkin is mostly celebrated in the fall. There are so many benefits of pumpkin that we could use year round.
Pumpkin is:
- highly nutritious
- high in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B2 and vitamin E
- low in calories
- high in minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, and iron
Now that you know the benefits of pumpkin, we can look at the steps.
How To Make Pumpkin Puree From Scratch
All pumpkins are not created equally and this will affect the flavor and texture of your pumpkin puree. For this recipe, you’ll need a fresh pumpkin that is not stringy.
Choose a pumpkin that is ripe and sounds hollow when you knock it. If you prefer to start small with a portion of pumpkin instead of a whole one, you can go ahead and follow the steps below.
Of course, pumpkin is the only ingredient for this recipe. Once you have a fresh pumpkin on hand, you can prepare it in the following way.
Prepare The Pumpkin For Pumpkin Puree
- Wash the pumpkin
- Scoop out the pumpkin seeds with a spoon or knife
- Peel off the skin
After you have prepared the pumpkin, you can cook it with either of these two methods.
Homemade Pumpkin Puree: Method One
1- Preheat the oven
2- Slice the pumpkin in half.
3- Place a baking sheet on a sturdy baking tray
3- Place the pumpkins cut side down on the baking sheet and roast for 40-60 minutes.
Method Two
1- Bring 2 cups of water to boil in a steamer
2- Cut the pumpkin into 3 inch pieces
3- Place the pumpkin on the steaming basket and steam for 15 minutes or until tender.
After you have cooked the pumpkin, we can move to the next step of this easy pumpkin puree recipe.
How To Puree Pumpkin
Cooked pumpkin is very soft and can be mashed with a fork. If you want a chunky pumpkin puree, you can do this and call it a day.
For a more consistent pumpkin puree, you can use a potato masher as a manual option. I personally prefer to use a food processor or an immersion blender and just puree the pumpkin until it’s smooth.
Can You Freeze Pumpkin Puree?
You can freeze pumpkin puree in order to have fresh pumpkin puree year-round. To freeze it, all you need to do is put it in a freeze-safe container like these mason jars and freeze them.
Frozen pumpkin puree will last for up to 5 months if it’s stored correctly. When you are ready to use this homemade pumpkin puree, defrost it overnight in the refrigerator.
You can use thawed pumpkin puree in any recipe as a replacement for the fresh version, although it tends to be a bit more runny. If excess water will affect your recipe, you can reduce the liquid in the recipe by 2-3 tablespoons.
It’s best to use the thawed within a couple of days for the best flavor.
Pumpkin Puree Storage
If you’re not planning to freeze your pumpkin puree, you can simply store it in a clean, airtight container for about 4-6 days.
Recipes Using Pumpkin Puree
Once you have your homemade pumpkin puree on hand, it’s time for the fun part. These pumpkin puree recipes are easy and delicious.
For breakfast, you can try this pumpkin spice oatmeal recipe or a pumpkin spice protein shake.