Never worry about a canned pumpkin shortage again. Each fall pie pumpkins are sprinkled in with the larger Jack-o-lantern pumpkins. Pie pumpkins are smaller and many will even fit in a small slow cooker. Plus pie pumpkins are tastier, and meant to be used in cooking. Use in any recipe that calls for cooked or canned pumpkin. Freeze in 1 1/2 cup portions, so you can thaw out the same amount that’s in one can.
Beyond Easy Pumpkin Purée
1 pie pumpkin that will fit in your slow cooker
Wash the pumpkin, and poke holes in it for the steam to escape. Place it in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. When it’s ready, a fork should easily slide through the skin and the flesh.
Let the pumpkin cool until you can touch it without burning yourself. Move it to a cutting board, and slice it in half. Remove seeds and pumpkin guts. Scrape the flesh into a food processor or blender and purée until smooth.
Yields: 3 to 6 cups
Total Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Cooking Time: 6 to 8 hours
This is absolutely brilliant! I make soups of various squashes all winter long and often the difference between making and not making it is if I feel like attacking the squash to get it cut into the cubes to cook! I shall stress no longer, and can hardly wait to experiment with all the squashes I use, especially butternut and kabocha (Japanese pumpkin). Thanks!
Great idea! I too love making pumpkin puree and freezing it, but I never thought of using my slow cooker.
Thanks!
I adore all things pumpkin!
Dumb question I’m sure: what’s the difference between a jack-o-lantern pumpkin and a “pie pumpkin?”
Not a dumb question at all. A pie pumpkin is smaller, sweeter, and has thicker flesh than a big carving pumpkin.
If my crockpot can hold more than 1 pumpkin, is there a difference in the cooking time.
Thanks in advance.
I’m not sure. I use a large pumpkin in my larger slow cookers (especially my 6 qt. 3 in 1 which is extra tall) or a smaller pumpkin in a smaller slow cooker. It may take longer for it to be done if you cook 2 at the same time, but you’ll know when the fork easily pierces the skin.
It shouldn’t hurt it to cook it a little extra, but I think most will cook in 8 hours.
Let me know how it turns out!