How to Juice Pumpkins

Pumpkin juice is loaded with health benefits.

Pumpkin juice has multiple health benefits, including lowering cholesterol with its high pectin content and boosts immunity with vitamin C. It's often used to maintain good kidney and bladder health. Pumpkin juice can be drunk by itself or mixed with other juices.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp knife
• Strainer
• Spoon

Instructions

1. Start with a fresh pumpkin with a good color. Choosing organic pumpkin will reduce any possibility of chemical residues from the vegetable ending up in the juice.

2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash the pumpkin and carefully cut in half using a sharp knife. Place directly on rack in preheated oven with a cookie sheet on rack directly below to catch any drippings.

3. Spoon out any juice accumulating in the pumpkin halves during baking and retain it in a small bowl.

4. Remove the pumpkin when the flesh has become soft and tender, which should take between one to two hours. Cool completely.

5. Scoop the flesh from the pumpkin and place in a strainer inside a large bowl. Use a spoon to push the flesh against the strainer and collect the juice in the bowl. Pour juice gathered during baking through the strainer into the same bowl.

6. Pour juice into pitcher and chill in the refrigerator until cool.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use spices and honey to flavor the juice. Serve either warm or chilled with ice cubes.

• Save the squeezed pumpkin flesh to use for your favorite fall recipes, like homemade pumpkin pie!

References

• JuicingBook: Pumpkin Juice
• BrittaBlvd: Pumpkin Juice
• Health Care: Health Benefits of Raw Pumpkin Juice