How to Cook a Pumpkin and Make Purée

4 from 1 vote

How can you cook a pumpkin? I'll show you how to roast a pumpkin to make the most delicious pumpkin puree for all your favorite fall recipes.

Prep Time10

Total Time1 10

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

Keyword: how can you cook a pumpkin, how to cook a pumpkin

Servings: cups*

1 Whole Pumpkin
2 Tablespoons Neutral Oil Preferably coconut or olive oil. Smaller pumpkins may require less oil than large pumpkins.
A pinch of salt optional

Cut the pumpkin in half.
Scoop out the seeds using a large spoon. Rub the flesh of the pumpkin with oil, I prefer coconut or olive oil. You can also add a sprinkle of salt.
Place the pumpkin cut side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Place the sheet pan on the top rack of a 425 degree oven. Roast for one to one and a half hours, or until soft. The roasting time will depend on the size of the pumpkin.
If you are planning to puree the pumpkin, let it cool slightly before scraping the pumpkin off of the skin.
Add the roasted pumpkin to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
Add your pumpkin puree to a jar and store in the fridge for up to a week or use in recipes right away.
Freeze pumpkin puree by adding it to a Ziploc or freezer-safe bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to a year, but is best if used within 6 months.

*The amount of puree will depend on the size of your pumpkin. This is an average amount.

Use a sharp knife and a sturdy cutting board to make cutting your pumpkin in half and in quarters easier.
If you plan to freeze your pumpkin purée for later use, I recommend measuring it out before placing it in freezer safe bags, and label accordingly. That way when you get ready to make a recipe, you know exactly how much is in your freezer bag.
Save the pumpkin seeds and roast them, too, for a delicious snack that you can use in homemade sourdough granola or as a snack all on its own.