Pumpkin question

[Anna]

Ok, I want to make Apple's pumpkin chocolate chip cookies but I don't know what to do with the tiny pumpkin - LOL! My mom informed me that you can buy pumpkin canned but I wanted to use a real one. So I thought I'd ask, what do I need to do?

I'm assuming I just scoop out the seeds and then use the sides? but do I have to do anything to it before I could use it in the cookie recipe?

Sorry to be so clueless. I cook all the time but have never cooked pumpkin. I didn't think I liked it until I recently had some pumpkin bread and Apple's cookies at Pat's.

Thanks!
~Anna

[Jenn]

I believe you have to scoup out the seeds and cook it like you would any other winter squash. I would cut it in half and put it upside down in a roasting pan with some water roast until it is soft. Scoop out the meat and then I guess you have to strain the pumpkin or put it through a foodmill if you have one. ( My m-i-l is here and she has done it before.) There is a lot of stringy fiber in it after cooking that you have to get out to bake with it. I don't know if you will get enough pumpkin from one small sugar pumpkin.

You can get some canned for the baking and cook the pumpkin up as a side dish like a regular winter squash?

Have fun, I love pumpkin anything!!

Jenn

[Anna]

Thanks Jenn. I think you're right. I'll get some canned and then just experiment with the little ones. I appreciate your help!

~Anna

[appletango]

Hi Anna
I'm glad you liked the cookies! I applaud you wanting you use your own fresh pumpkin! It's a great feeling! Okay you you'll do best with a sugar pumpkin or a pie pumpkin (same thing). First wash your pumpkin. You'll need to cut it in half (this is the hardest part) and scoop out seeds and stringy part. Save the seeds for roasting or planting next year! I steam my pumpkin.

To steam :
cut up into several chunks and steam for about 15-2o minutes (make sure to check your water level in the steamer so you don't run out and scorch your pot!)
When the pumpkin is nice and soft remove and let it cool a few minutes then simply peel off the skin. Put it in a bowl and mash into a puree. You could use a hand mixer too.

Then you are done! Any of the left over can be measured out and stored in the freezer for next time! Have fun!


Apple

[Anna]

Ok, that doesn't sound too hard!! I'll give it a try. I got two of the small "pie pumpkins".

Thanks, this will save me a trip to the store and be fun to use an actual pumpkin :)

~Anna

[Jenn]

You don't have to get the stringy stuffout?? I ask just because that's what my MIL was saying. She was sitting right here so I asked her what she did. I didn't think cooking it would be hard but when she said you have to strain out the fibers I siad that seems a little much. Do you get enough out of one sugar pumpkin? Or do you need two or three?

Jenn

[appletango]

After you steam it and mash it just take a hand mixer to it and it's soft and beautiful - no strings! I think that happens when it's not cooked long enough. Last time I used one sugar pumpkin and got enough pumpkin to make 3 batches of cookies (3 cups!) My best advice is to steam it until it is super tender! Good luck! And Jenn thank you again for your help figuring out the site!

[Jenn]

Thanks for letting me know it's easier then I thought. Maybe I will have to try it also. No problem with help on the site. It takes a little getting used to.

Jenn

[appletango]

Yay! I think it makes a big difference, mostly in how good you feel about your baking!

[Cara Yara]

My husband has been using real pumpkins for pies for years. He does the baking method, but steaming works just as well. You can do this same method with acorn squash or butternut squash. They make yummy pies too!!!

[Anna]

UPDATE:

Ok, so I did it :) The pumpkin was so easy. Cutting it was the hardest but not too bad. I steamed it in my rice/veggie steamer and then it peeled right off. I put it in the food processor and got just over 2 cups from a very small pumpkin. (No strings and no straining needed, it was very smooth)

The first batch of cookies just came out and they don't seem as tasty as Apple's but are pretty good and may be better when they cool a bit.

Thanks for all the help!! I'm trying to think of more pumpkin things to make now :)

~Anna