The Pumpkin Can-Can, Without the Can

Pumpkins do have a tendency to rot if kept inside faster than if they are in the cold. So once you bring them in, plan to use them within a reasonable time period. Pumpkins are really no different than any other kind of fruit or vegetable, they are just bigger and bulkier and filled with stringy guts. It is not too late to get pumpkins, you may even get them for free, check with pumpkin farms, people you know, or check around. If it hasn't been carved, and hasn't rotted, you can use it!

How to Cut, Gut, Cook, and Store Pumpkin...

(If you have painted your pumpkins, be sure to wash them off well prior to cutting and gutting, some people do use the pumpkins they have carved, within a very small time period after cutting, however because I do not, I would suggest you get some information from your local health department on what the standards are regarding that).

Your best bet is to use a big serrated (bumpy) bladed knife. This kind will do the least slipping, and will do the fastest and safest work. If you are able to, try cutting the pumpkin vertically, this makes a neater wedge to work with.

After cutting if you want to prepare yummy nutritious pumpkin seeds for the family, separate them from the "guts" or strings and place in a bowl. Scoop out as much of the stringy, icky stuff with a spoon, melon baller or other tool, and then cut the pumpkin in manageable pieces that will fit in your big pot filled with water, that you will boil on the stove. (Rinse the seeds out in a strainer).

Cook these pieces until you can stick a fork through them easily, remove from heat and let cool. When cooled, cut off the outer peeling of the pumpkin and discard or add to your compost pile. Mash up cooked pumpkin or whirl through the blender. Please keep in mind that different varieties of pumpkins will differ in cooking color and texture, but can all be cooked up, (some people will tell you that you need to use only 'pie' pumpkins, tell them that I doubt this hybrid was available at the first Thanksgiving, and somehow all have lived and gone on to use pumpkins still today).

A few fast facts for pumpkin preparation...

• Fresh pumpkin has a higher water content than canned, so
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