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Pumpkin Puree
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Category:
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Special Recipes |
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Contributor:
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Anonymous |
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Rating:
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0.00 |
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Views:
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429 |
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You'll need:
a pie pumpkin* (see notes below)
large sharp serrated knife
ice cream scoop
stick blender
Directions:
Once you have selected your "pie pumpkin", you'll need to prepare it for use. Wash the exterior of the pumpkin in cool or warm water without using soap.
Cut the pumpkin in half with a serrated knife and a sawing motion. I suggest the use of a serrated knife because a smooth knife is more likely to slip and you could hurt yourself.
Scoop out the seends and scrape out the insides. You'll want to get out the stringy, dangly stuff that coats the inside surface. I suggest the use of a heavy ice cream scoop. I find that an ice cream scoop works perfectly for this step.
Remove the stem and put the pumkin into a microwaveable container. You may need to cut the pumpkin further, to make it fit. However, the fewer the number of pieces, the easier it will be to scoop out the cooked pumpkin afterwards. Add a couple of inches of water to the container, cover it, and place in the mircrowave.
Cook the pumpkin on high for 15 minutes then check to see if it is soft. If needed (depending on size and thickness of pumpkin), repeat in smaller increments of time until the pumpkin is soft enough to scoop out. Normally it takes 20 or 30 minutes overall. You can cook the pumpkin on the stovetop, but it will take almost twice as long to do.
Gently lift and scoop the cooked pumpkin out of the skin with a tablespoon. The pumpkin should seperate easily and in fairly large sections.
To get pumpkin puree with a nice and smooth consistency, I suggest using a stick blender. The stick blender usually takes only 2 or 3 minutes. However, you can puree the pumpkin with a regular blender or a hand mixer and added patience.
Once done, you should have about 3 cups of pumpkin puree. Your pumpkin puree is now ready to use in your favorite recipes (pie included).
*NOTES: A "pie pumpkin" is smaller and sweeter than the jack-o'-lantern pumpkin. A pie pumpkin's texture is less grainy, as well. A pie pumpkin is only about 8 inches in diameter. When selecting a pie pumpkin, look for one that is firm and has a good orange color. Avoid pumpkins with bruises and soft spots.
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