How to Cook Pumpkin

The Easiest Way to Cook Pumpkin

  Here’s how to cook pumpkin the simplest way—plus a selection of delicious pumpkin recipes, from our Blue Ribbon Pumpkin Pie to pumpkin spice pancakes!

How to Cook a Pumpkin

1. First, scrub the outside of the pumpkin with a vegetable brush to remove any dirt. 
2. Cut the pumpkin in half and use a spoon to scrape out the fibers and the seeds. A serrated grapefruit spoon works great for this.
3. Cut the pumpkin halves into smaller pieces, then place them skin side up in a shallow baking dish.
4. Add water to just cover the bottom of the dish, and cover tightly.
5. Bake in a 325ºF oven until the pumpkin is fork tender. The time will vary depending on the size of your pieces.
6. Let it cool, and then either cut off the peel or scoop out the flesh.

Tip: For pumpkins that you’re not cooking right away, keep them cool but not quite as cool as root crops. If you have a coolish bedroom, stashing them under the bed works well (just don’t forget about them). They like a temperature of about 50 to 65ºF. https://www.almanac.com/content/how-cook-pumpkin?trk_msg=29602QAECHJ4JA40G0NGIVNK9S&trk_contact=EEBLFVJ2I0VAQT9EM5JFVJAK9O&trk_sid=61S7IBUV83GR5IO6N6DFPN723S&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=How+to+Cook+Pumpkin+(title)&utm_campaign=Companion+Daily