By Mary Ann Wilcox
Canned pumpkinpuree has gotten really expensive as of late. My last price check was$1.20 for a 15oz. can. To me, that’s crazy! Pumpkin puree is so easyand inexpensive to make yourself, why would you ever buy it in thecan for that much? Thanks to Halloween, pumpkins are everywhere andchances are you have a few that you could set aside for winter.
Each year aroundthis time, I take my pumpkins left over from Halloween, bake them,peal them, and puree them. Then I put 2 cups of puree into zipperbags and freeze it; 2-3 pumpkins is all I need to get me through theyear until Halloween comes again. It’s a super easy way to get whatyou need from what you already have.
If you don’t whatto risk the freezer space, dry your pumpkin like you would fruitleather. Dry it until it is brittle, then turn it into powder in yourfood processor. Then it is shelf safe and can be used in any recipethat calls for pumpkin: pies, cookies, cakes, soups, stews, etc. Ihave just finished my second edition of the “Just Add Water” bookthat address how to process pumpkin powder and how to use it in allyour recipes.
Pumpkin Alternatives
If you find youare short on pumpkin and short on money, use one of these greatalternatives — that’s right, I said pumpkin alternatives. You maybe shocked and a little bit intrigued to know that BEANS make theperfect pumpkin alternative. It’s true! My family loves pumpkin pie,but I can totally fool them by using an alternative such as soybeans,navy beans or sweet potato paste. By adding the same seasonings thatyou do in your favorite recipe, the beans and potatoes imitatepumpkin perfectly and provide a great gluten-free alternative if youneed one. Here’s what you do:
Beans(check out my “Cooking & Using Beans” book for more greatrecipes):
1. Soak your beansovernight to soften them and release the simple sugar that causesgas.
2. Drain and rinsethe beans.
3. Add 3 cups ofwater for each cup of beans.
4. Cook in apressure cooker, on top of the stove, or in a crockpot until soft andtender.
5. Drain thebeans, but save the water.
6. Place the beansin a blender and blend until a smooth paste. Add bean juice (thewater from the cooking process) a little at a time, until the beanshave the same consistency as pumpkin.
7. Substitute thesame amount of bean paste for the amount of pumpkin called for in therecipe.
Sweet Potatoes:If you are using canned sweet potatoes, drain the can and savethe juice. Blend the potatoes, adding enough juice to make a pastethe same consistency as pumpkin. Substitute the sweet potatoes forthe amount of pumpkin called for in the recipe. Because sweetpotatoes have the same color and similar flavor to pumpkin, they canbe interchanged in any recipe calling for pumpkin without addingadditional spices.
If you are usingfresh sweet potatoes, scrub the outside and bake them in a 350 degreeoven until soft. Skin the potatoes while they are still warm andblend them until smooth. You might have to add a little water duringthe blending process to moisten them if they are too dry. Substitutethe sweet potatoes in any recipe calling for pumpkin.
Here’s my family’sfavorite pumpkin pie recipe using bean paste.
BeanPaste Pumpkin Pie Filling
Mix allingredients together in a blender until smooth. Pour into an unbaked9-inch pie shell. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce thetemperature to 350 degrees and continue to bake for 45 minutes. Topwill be golden brown. Let it sit until it is room temperature andthen refrigerate until serving. Add a little whipped topping to eachpiece and enjoy.
For other greatpumpkin recipes to try with these alternatives, check out these funblogs at www.MaryAnnsCupboards.com: Wassail & Pumpkin Dip,Pumpkin Cream Pie, Pumpkin Bean Mac and Cheese, and All ThingsPumpkin.
FAQs
You can eat any variety of pumpkin. Varieties vary wildly in taste. Explore, enjoy and revel in the fact that a pumpkin is not just for Halloween. Whilst you can eat any variety of pumpkin or squash, if it tastes very bitter, stop eating.
What to do with the pumpkin after carving? ›
How to Reuse Carved Pumpkins
- Roast Pumpkin Seeds. To roast pumpkin seeds, separate them from the stringy guts and rinse well. ...
- Make Pumpkin Stock. ...
- Feed the Critters. ...
- Add it to Compost. ...
- Whip Up a Batch of Pumpkin Puree. ...
- Bake Pumpkin Bread. ...
- Make Pumpkin Soup. ...
- Eat Your Casserole Dish.
Pumpkin Trivia
In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling. Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing snake bites. The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,140 pounds.
What to do with porch pumpkins? ›
Table of Contents
- Eat Them.
- Send Them to a Community Pumpkin Roundup.
- Use One as a Holiday Ice Bucket.
- Incorporate Them Into Your Thanksgiving Decor.
- Try Some Upcycled Crafts.
- Make a Bird Feeder.
- Use Them for Pots.
- Compost Them.
Pumpkins that end up in landfills have a hard time breaking down because landfills function to store material and don't have much oxygen to allow organics to decompose properly. When organic materials don't have enough oxygen to break down, they release methane gas, a greenhouse gas that is harmful to the environment.
Why can't you eat white pumpkins? ›
White fruited pumpkins are edible. White fruited varieties, such as 'Lumina,' have a white skin and orange flesh. They are chiefly grown for their unique “ghostly” appearance. However, the orange flesh is suitable for cooking.
Can I eat my carved pumpkin? ›
Pumpkins typically used for jack-o'-lanterns usually are larger, with stringier pulp and more watery flesh. However, you can still eat the jack-o-lantern variety with fairly good results. If you're buying a pumpkin specifically for eating, the smaller ones are usually the best.
Does vinegar make pumpkins last longer? ›
To keep your pumpkins looking brand-new throughout October, just fill a large tub with 10 parts water and 1 part vinegar. Let the gourds soak for 20-30 minutes in the bath, then pull them out and let them air-dry. Voila! You've got some pretty pumpkins that definitely won't show their age.
How long will a pumpkin last after you carve it? ›
Generally, carved pumpkins last between 3 to 5 days, but weather and sunlight can play a huge role in your lantern's life. If you live in a colder climate, your pumpkin could last up to a week, but if it's exposed to heat, it may only last a few days.
Why do we cut faces in pumpkins? ›
In Ireland, people started to carve demonic faces out of turnips to frighten away Jack's wandering soul. When Irish immigrants moved to the U.S., they began carving jack-o'-lanterns from pumpkins, as these were native to the region.
Lesions of anthracnose on pumpkin fruit often consist of round, dark rings on the fruit surface. Figure 2. Anthracnose lesion on pumpkin in comparison to a quarter.
Do rats eat Halloween pumpkins? ›
Rodents such as rats and mice will enjoy feasting on pumpkins, especially if they're carved and open to reveal the delicious fruit inside. Rats and mice aren't particularly fussy when it comes to food – they will eat the flesh and seeds of pumpkins.
Is it OK to dump pumpkins in the woods? ›
Don't leave your pumpkin in the woods. It may be tempting to leave your Halloween pumpkins in the woods to feed wildlife after October 31, but it could actually do more harm than good, wildlife experts warn. Thousands of discarded pumpkins are left in woods across Britain, according to The Telegraph.
What eats leftover pumpkins? ›
Squirrels, raccoons, deer, moose, foxes, mice, and insects might feast on the delicious orange porch snack you leave near your front door. “How nice of you!” they probably think as they eat their weight in slimy pumpkin goodness.
Can I eat a pumpkin I painted? ›
Are pumpkins decorated with craft paint edible? materials are not intended for human consumption. There is little research on whether craft paint and markers penetrate the flesh of pumpkins or on the toxicity of other decorative products used on pump- kins.
How can you tell if a pumpkin is edible? ›
The correct answer is that ALL parts of the pumpkin are edible (although you wouldn't want to eat the dried stem – yuck!). Pumpkins are in the squash family, called “Cucurbits,” and all parts of all squash are edible – leaves, vines, fruit, seeds, skin and roots!
Is it safe to eat all pumpkins? ›
At the same time, they ask “Are all varieties of pumpkins edible?” The plain and simple truth is – – Yes, all varieties of pumpkins are edible.
Are all Halloween pumpkins edible? ›
Pumpkins typically used for jack-o'-lanterns usually are larger, with stringier pulp and more watery flesh. However, you can still eat the jack-o-lantern variety with fairly good results. If you're buying a pumpkin specifically for eating, the smaller ones are usually the best.
Why can't you eat decorative pumpkins? ›
You can absolutely cook pumpkin the way you would cook any other winter squash. The varieties that are bred primarily for decorative use and Jack-o-lanterns may not be quite as flavorful or might be a bit stringier than pumpkins bred specifically for pies and other culinary uses but they are all edible.
