Cooking the Pumpkin:
Boiling/Steaming Method: Cut the pumpkin into rather large
chunks. Rinse in cold water. Place pieces in a large pot
with about a cup of water. The water does not need to cover
the pumpkin pieces. Cover the pot and boil for 20 to 30
minutes or until tender, or steam for 10 to 12 minutes.
Check for doneness by poking with a fork. Drain the cooked
pumpkin in a colander. Reserve the liquid to use as a base
for soup. Follow the steps outlined below in Preparing the
Puree.
Oven Method: Cut pumpkin in half, scraping away stringy
mass and seeds. Rinse under cold water. Place pumpkin, cut
side down on a large cookie sheet. Bake at 350¡F for one
hour or until fork tender. Then follow the procedure
outlined below in Preparing the Puree.
Microwave Method: Cut pumpkin in half, place cut side down
on a microwave safe plate or tray. Microwave on high for 15
minutes, check for doneness. If necessary continue cooking
at 1-2 minute intervals until fork tender. Continue as
outlined below in Preparing the Puree.
Preparing the Puree
When the pumpkin is cool enough to handle, remove the peel
using a small sharp knife and your fingers. Put the peeled
pumpkin in a food processor and puree or use a food mill,
ricer, strainer or potato masher to form a puree.
Pumpkin puree freezes well. To freeze, measure cooled puree
into one cup portions, place in ridged freezer containers,
leaving 1/2-inch headspace or pack into zip closure bags.
|