How to Cook Pumpkin

Though pumpkin is not liked by many people, it can really taste good if you cook it properly. For that matter, the taste of any vegetable depends mainly on how it is cooked. There are a number of items, the names of which might set off the alarm bells, but when you go and try them out at a restaurant nearby, you really like them. This is because the preparation of the dish is such that it pampers your taste buds immensely. The same is the case with pumpkin. If you wish to enjoy the vegetable, it is necessary for you to know how to cook it properly.

A number of dishes are made out of pumpkin, like pies, soups, doughnuts and even pumpkin breads. For any kind of preparation, it is best if you use a fresh pumpkin, rather going for the stored ones. Although it may take a little longer time to prepare fresh pumpkins, than opening up a can, the process is very simple and you don’t need to put any extra effort. There are different varieties of pumpkins, like the jack-o-lantern types, pie pumpkins and so on, used for different purposes. Given below are some tips that will help you in cooking pumpkin in the right manner.

Easy Pumpkin Recipe

Items Needed

Pumpkin
Knife
Baking Sheet
Oven
Salt
Roasting Pan
Water
Masher

Method 1

First of all, clean the outer cover of the pumpkin with cool or warm water and then cut it in half. It is always better to use a serrated knife, instead of the smooth ones and cut the pumpkin using sawing motion.
For cooking the seeds of the pumpkin, carve out the stem deeply, such that you reach the hollow part easily.
Remove the flesh and the seeds from the pumpkin. Separate the two from each other.
Wash the seeds thoroughly and place them on a baking sheet.
Preheat the oven on 325 F. Sprinkle salt on the seeds and cook for 5-7 minutes. Flip them over and again cook them for 7-10 minutes.
Remove them from oven and cool before serving

Method 2

For cooking pumpkin flesh, it is advisable to cut it into several large pieces.
There are different ways to cook pumpkin flesh and you can choose any preferred method. You can use microwaves, pressure cooker, stovetop steaming or even baking in the oven. A simple way of cooking the flesh is by using a roasting pan.
Place the pieces on a roasting pan, with the skin side facing upwards.
Fill the pan with an inch of water and cover it up.
Cook the pieces for about 30 minutes, or till the time they are soft when pricked by a fork.
Remove the pan from the oven and place the pumpkin on a plate to cool.
Peel off the skin of the pumpkin and cut into smaller pieces. Now, mash it with a potato masher and use for baking.

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