How to Cook a Whole Pumpkin

Pumpkins are a fun part of Halloween. You can carve them, display them or you can even make them part of a holiday feast. If you cook a whole pumpkin, you can eat the seeds and use the flesh for baking.

Things You'll Need

• Pumpkin
• Baking sheet
• Salt
• Sharp knife
• Roasting pan
• Water
• Fork

Instructions

Cooking the Seeds

1. Remove the top of a pumpkin by carving around the stem with a sharp knife. Cut deep enough to reach the hollow inside. Pull the top off the pumpkin by grasping the stem firmly.

2. Remove all the stringy flesh and seeds with your hands. A spoon may be needed to scrape the stringy material and seeds form the sides of the pumpkin.

3. Separate the seeds from the stringy material and set the seeds aside. Discard the stringy material.

4. Wash the seeds and place them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Preheat the oven to 325 F.

5. Sprinkle salt on the seeds. Cook for 5-7 minutes and then flip the seeds over. Cook for another 7-10 minutes or until light brown.

6. Remove the seeds from oven. Cool before eating.

Cooking the Pumpkin Flesh

1. Cut the whole pumpkin into several large pieces.

2. Place the pieces in a large roasting pan skin side up.

3. Fill the roasting pan with one inch of water. Cover the roasting pan.

4. Cook the pumpkin for 30 minutes or until the pumpkin flesh is soft when pierced with a fork.

5. Remove the roasting pan from the oven. Place the cooked pumpkin on a baking sheet or plate to cool.

6. Peel skin off of the cooled pumpkin with a knife. Cut the cooked pumpkin into small chunks and mash with a potato masher to use for baking.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure water remains in the bottom of the pan to keep the pumpkin from drying out.