Things You'll Need:
- Fresh Pumpkin
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Bowl
- Saucepan/steamer
- Potato Masher
- Blender
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Step 1
Select medium-sized cooking or baking pumpkins in the grocery store or at your local farmer’s market. If you cannot find baking pumpkins, do not worry any pumpkin will do. Choose one that is deep orange to insure it is completely ripe.
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Step 2
Wash the pumpkin to remove any dirt or residue from the outside. Rinse to remove all traces of soap and dry with a soft cloth or paper towels.
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Step 3
Wash the pumpkin to remove any dirt or residue from the outside. Rinse to remove all traces of soap and dry with a soft cloth or paper towels.
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Step 4
Cut the top off the pumpkin just as if you were preparing to carve a jack-o-lantern. Remove the pulp, seeds and stringy residue inside the pumpkin. Save the seeds to make delicious roasted pumpkin seeds.
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Step 5
Cut the pumpkin into 4-inch sections. Use a large knife and a cutting board. The pumpkin should be firm and a bit difficult to cut.
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Step 6
Pare individual sections with a paring knife or vegetable peeler. Rinse with cold water to remove any strings or pulp residue.
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Step 7
Boil in a saucepan with little water or steam in a steamer until the pumpkin is soft. Drain off any excess water.
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Step 8
Place pumpkin in large bowl and mash with a potato masher. Blend until smooth in a blender and allow to cool.
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Step 9
Use fresh pumpkin in any recipe calling for canned pumpkin by substituting equal amounts of fresh pumpkin and following the instructions for the recipe.
