besides doubling the spices in the Libby's recipe I use less sugar and add a little molasses. I sometimes just pierce the pumpkin or squash and bake or Microwave it. then it's easy to cut and scoop, but if you want to bake the seeds cutting it works better. Hey do you remember when Angie's mom gave us the enormous pumpkin and we filled the oven. the pressure canner, and the microwave?