chepyl Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I have a bery large pumpkin that we never got around to carving. Can I make pies with it, or do you have to use the smaller "pie" pumpkins? If I can use it....what do I do? Any good recipie? I am sure I could do a couple of pies, maybe something else.....I have never made anything with pumpkin.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrookValley. Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 The big pumpkins you buy for carving and decorating are usually not all that yummy. It's the smaller, "sugar" pie pumpkins that have the right flavor and texture for baking. I'd skip using them for eating. It's not too late to do some type of craft, though. It's still fall! :D Do you have more than one pumpkin? I saw a cute idea on Martha Stewart's website that used three pumpkins stacked to make people to decorate--kind of like snowmen, just with pumpkins. The photos showed a whole "family" of pumpkin people, totally adorable. There were other pumpkin crafts that weren't halloween-specific. I'd just do it up for fall and/or Thanksgiving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacie Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I have used larger pumpkins for baking. You have to add extra sugar to your pie and you might have to puree the cooked pumpkin a little depending on its texture before mixing other ingredients. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acorn Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 We make soup and then serve it in the scooped out, baked pumpkin. You can find recipes for pumpkin soup but we just make chicken noodle or white bean chili. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSheep Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I think they work fine for baking. I've made lots of pies out of ex-jack-o'-lanterns. It just seems like such a waste not to. I've had nothing but compliments on the flavor and texture of pies and other baked goods made with them. Clean it out, cut it in half (or whatever size chunks are easiest for you to work with) and put the pieces cut side down on a foil lined baking sheet. You'll want to use the kind with a rim around the edges. If you want, you can pour a cup or two of water in the pan; it makes the pumpkin a little more tender, but I've done it without and it still worked fine. Bake it until it's soft when you poke it with a fork, and then take it out and let it cool down so you don't burn your fingers. Then scoop all the pumpkin flesh off with a spoon. I mash it by running it through my blender or food processor, but you could do it by hand, it would just take more time and effort. When it's all mushed up I freeze two-cup portions in ziplock bags. Two cups is what my pie recipe calls for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrookValley. Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Y'all have obviously had better luck with jack-o-lantern type pumpkins than I have. Lemme tell you, I only tried that once. :ack2: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I make pumpkin from everything but those GIANT ones. Those we leave around the garage until spring and then it'll be an interesting study in decomposition. :D Just add a little more sugar if it's a pie and process it in a food processor until smooth. No one around here notices whether I use the "sugar pies" or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athena1277 Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 You could always have your kids construct a catapult and have your own Pumpkin Chunkin'. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2_girls_mommy Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I have used the big ones too. If I can get them cheap the day after Halloween I usually get a few. Do as the above said to cook and blend it. Then divide it up and freeze. Now you can make pumpkin pies, pumpkin bread or muffins, or as we recently tried on Halloween morning, pumpkin pancakes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted November 7, 2011 Author Share Posted November 7, 2011 Thanks for the help! We will try some of this tomorrow..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted November 22, 2011 Author Share Posted November 22, 2011 When you say you add extra sugar.....how much do you add? If a recipie calls for 1/2 cup white and 1/3 cup brown? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3Maidens Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 and break them apart somewhat and feed them to the deer. Grant it that you have deer around where you live. They love them! That is, if you don't want to bother cooking with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snickerdoodle Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I made this recipe and it came out so good. THere are a bunch of other ideas there too. Check them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenpatty Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 We used our uncarved big ones for making pumpkin casserole. It is really good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.