pumpkinsAs I blogged about earlier in the week, it’s easy to make your own pumpkin puree for pumpkin pies, soups, and so on. But while you’re browsing Gourmandia’s great pumpkin recipes on videos, be sure to also consider baking pumpkin. Not only is pumpkin rich in vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, fiber, and potassium, it tastes simply delicious. Here are a few ideas on baking your own pumpkin this autumm.

 

Choosing a Pumpkin

Save the jack-o-lantern pumpkins for Halloween decorations, and instead opt for sugar pumpkins. Sometimes called “pie pumpkins” or “cheese pumpkins,” these small pumpkins are part of the winter squash family. They are naturally sweeter and less stringy than jack-o-lantern pumpkins.

 

Preparing

First, wash the outside of the pumpkin with warm water and a little soap. Next, cut off the top of the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds (which, incidentally, are fantastic roasted with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper) and stringy innards.

 

Then, choose appropriate toppings or seasonings. Some ideas: Honey, brown sugar, maple, molasses, crushed red peppers, cilantro, sage, rosemary, cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg.

 

Baking Pumpkins

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Slice the pumpkin in half and season as desired.

 

Place the pumpkin halves, meat side up, on a baking sheet on the center rack of the oven. Bake for about 30 minutes to an hour, depending upon the size of the pumpkin, until the pumpkin is soft and the shell is golden brown.

 

You can also bake stuffed pumpkin. Instead of slicing the squash in half, stuff the hollow inside with the following mixture: six peeled, cored, and chopped Granny Smith apples; 1 cup chopped walnuts; 16 ounces whole berry cranberry sauce; 20 ounces canned pineapple chunks, drained; ¾ cup packed brown sugar; ½ cup golden raisins; ½ cup dark rum; 2 teaspoons minced ginger root; 1 tablespoon grated nutmeg; 1 tablespoon cinnamon.

 

Put the top of the pumpkin back in place. Bake on a baking sheet on the center rack of the oven for one hour, or until pumpkin begins to soften. Scrape the sides of the pumpkin gently, so that some of the pumpkin meat mixes in with the stuffing.

 

You may also make pumpkin appetizers by cutting a pumpkin into single serving size squares. Place these pieces on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for about 25 to 35 minutes, or until the pumpkin is tender and golden. You may also top these pumpkin pieces with one of the seasonings recommended above.

 

Take the pumpkin pieces from the oven and top with a small amount of butter. Allow the butter to melt, then serve.