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Homemade Pumpkin Puree Recipe

4.4 from 75 reviews

This homemade pumpkin puree recipe shows you how to make fresh, smooth pumpkin puree from a sugar pumpkin, perfect for use in pies, soups, and other fall dishes. Roasting the pumpkin enhances its natural sweetness and flavor, and processing it into a silky puree is simple with a food processor. Using fresh pumpkin puree gives your recipes a vibrant taste compared to canned varieties.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 sugar pumpkin (about 2 pounds)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for roasting)
  • Salt (optional, to taste)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for roasting the pumpkin.
  2. Prepare Pumpkin: Wash the pumpkin thoroughly, then carefully cut it in half. Use a spoon to scrape out all seeds and the stringy pith from the center.
  3. Season Pumpkin: Brush the cut side of the pumpkin halves with olive oil and optionally sprinkle with salt to enhance flavor.
  4. Roast Pumpkin: Place the pumpkin halves cut side down on a baking tray. Roast in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes or until the flesh is tender when pierced with a fork.
  5. Cool Pumpkin: Remove from the oven and allow the pumpkin to cool slightly so it is safe to handle.
  6. Scoop Flesh: Once cooled, use a spoon to scoop the soft flesh out of the skins and transfer it to a food processor.
  7. Puree Pumpkin: Pulse the pumpkin flesh in the food processor until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.
  8. Drain Excess Moisture: Because fresh pumpkin can be watery, if necessary, line a strainer with cheesecloth and let the puree drain for about 30 minutes to achieve a thicker texture.
  9. Store Puree: Store the pumpkin puree in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months for longer storage.

Notes

  • Using olive oil and salt while roasting is optional but helps to enhance the flavor of the pumpkin.
  • Make sure your pumpkin is a sugar pumpkin, which is sweeter and better suited for cooking rather than a large carving pumpkin.
  • Draining excess water from the puree ensures a thicker texture similar to canned pumpkin, ideal for recipes calling for pumpkin puree.
  • Freeze puree in portioned containers or ice cube trays for easy use in future recipes.

Keywords: homemade pumpkin puree, fresh pumpkin puree, roasted pumpkin, pumpkin recipes, how to make pumpkin puree