diy | e2 bakes brooklyn

Did you get pie pumpkins at the farmstand this year? Good, me too! I have about ten cans of perfectly good pumpkin purée in my kitchen, but I just couldn’t resist the cute display at Salinger’s Orchard.

My pumpkins sat on my counter for two weeks waiting for me to do something with them. I thought about making Dorie Greenspan’s Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good, but let’s be real, I do not need a whole pumpkin filled with bread, cheese, and bacon. I considered just keeping them for decoration, but that’s just a waste. And so I came to my senses and made pumpkin purée.

Y’all, I am a big fan of canned pumpkin purée for everyday baking, but it doesn’t hold a candle to this stuff. It’s sweet and rich, and look at that color! I’m not saying I’ll be making my own all the time or anything, but it’s fun to use an actual pumpkin to make cookies every once in a while!

Let me show you how to make your own pumpkin purée.

Grab your pumpkin. This is a sugar pumpkin, but cheese pumpkins work well too!

Remove the stem and slice it in halves or quarters, depending on the size. See those seeds and fibrous innards? Scoop ’em out with a sturdy spoon. You can save the seeds and roast them later.

Place your pumpkin pieces in a casserole (or your trusty cast-iron skillet). Pour in water until there’s about 1/4-inch in the bottom of the pan. No need for oil or anything.

Roast your pumpkin pieces at 375F for 45-50 minutes, or until they are fork-tender. Let them cool until you can handle them.

Use a sturdy spoon to separate the flesh from the skin.

Throw all that good pumpkin in a food processor and let it go for 3-5 minutes, until smooth. Mine puréed up just fine, but if yours looks dry, add water by the tablespoon until it looks right.

That’s it! Transfer your pumpkin purée to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to a week. It’s really delicious stirred into yogurt and oatmeal, but why not use it to make something delicious?!