How to Bake a Pumpkin

Baking a pumpkin is very similar to baking squash. If you don't know how to bake squash I will tell you exactly how to bake a pumpkin.

First: Select a pumpkin. Pie pumpkins are bred specially for pies and have less water content than Jack O Lantern pumpkins, hence making a thicker pie. They also are sweeter than a regular pumpkin.

Second: Turn oven on to 325 degrees F. Wash the pumpkin and than cut it in half.

Third: Scoop out the insides. Make sure to get all the seeds out and any stringy material. Save the seeds to bake later on.

Third: Place both halves pulp side down on a baking pan. Cover halves with tin foil and put water in pan so that the bottom is covered.

Fourth: Put in oven and bake for about 45 minutes to an hour. Baking time will depend on the size of the pumpkin and the kind of oven you own. At the 45 minute mark poke the pumpkin with a fork, if it slides in easily the pumpkin is done, if not keep baking the pumpkin til the fork can slide in easily.

Fifth: Once the pumpkin is done and cool enough to touch, peel the skin off the pumpkin and discard, cut the pumpkin into small pieces and place in a blender. Don't put too much pumpkin into the blender at once as the pumpkin won't have a smooth texture. Once the pumpkin is all pureed than you are ready to use it. If you have too much pumpkin puree, it freezes really well (either use bags or containers).

Enjoy your pumpkin muffins, pies, cookies, soup etc.

Lorissa