Pumpkin Puree

Never buy canned pumpkin again!

Posted by JJ

About

In Australia they don't have canned pumpkin so I had no choice but to make my own - best.thing.ever. I use a kind of pumpkin called 'Jap' or 'Japanese' here, in the US it is called Kabocha. You can also use a Butternut Pumpkin/Squash.

You can steam or roast the pumpkin - roasted is sweeter and richer but steamed is quicker! Make extra and freeze it for later.

See below for quantity *Note

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You Will Need (1 thing)

  • 2 ½ lbs Pumpkin

Steps (6 steps, 60 minutes)

  1. 1

    For Steamed Pumpkin Puree:
    Cut pumpkin flesh into large chunks, remove seeds and stringy bits.
    - Steam for approximately 20 minutes until very, very soft when pierced with a fork.
    - Scrape off skin and puree.

  2. 2

    For Roasted Pumpkin Puree:
    Cut pumpkin flesh into large wedges, remove seeds and stringy bits.
    - Rub with a bit of oil or melted butter if you wish, this is not required.

  3. 3

    Roast at 350 F (180 C) for approximately 1 hour until very soft when pierced by a fork.

  4. 4

    Cool, remove skin and any particularly charred bits.
    - Puree until smooth.
    I use a stick blender for this but a food processor is fine too.
    - If you have to do it by hand, use a large spoon to press through a fine wire sieve to make it velvety and smooth.

  5. 5

    There you have it, homemade Pumpkin Puree! Use if for anything you wish like soup...

  6. 6

    ... or pie. You know I go for pie every time.
    *NOTE:
    - A 2.5 lb pumpkin produced approximately 1 lb of puree so if you work off a reduction of about half on the weight of your raw pumpkin you are pretty safe.
    - A standard 15 oz can of pumpkin is approx 1 3/4 cups. There are 16 oz in 1 lb