Monday, August 13, 2012

Pumpkin Pumpkin Pumpkin


    
     Last night Jeff picked our first two pumpkins from our garden. Yay! I know it's still summer, but this made me instantly in the mood for fall (especially fall goodies!).  So today I made homemade pumpkin bread with FRESH pumpkin. This was my first time using is, since I usually use the canned stuff, but I have to say it's delicious!
     I thought making pumpkin puree would have been hard, but nope, it was pretty easy. I do admit it took me a little longer then I though (with multiple interruptions from the kiddos), but now that I got the first pumpkin down, I'm sure the next one will go faster.

Fresh Pumpkin Puree

Step 1: Cut the tops off the pumpkin, just like if you were making a jack 'o' lantern.

Step 2: Scrape out all the gooey insides and seeds
(Save the seeds! Roasted seeds are the best)

Step 3: Cut the pumpkin into large chunks, but keep the skin on.

Step 4: Place pumpkin skin down on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45-50 minutes, or until tender with a fork.

Step 5: Take pumpkin out of the oven. Remove skin and place the cooked pumpkin in a food processor. Blend until it starts to become smooth, but not runny.

Step 6: Use in your favorite pumpkin recipes or freeze in a Ziploc bag for future use.




Pumpkin Bread    
Adapted from www.simplerecipes.com (great site for new recipes!)
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée (can be canned)
  • 1/2 cup oil ( I used Veg. oil)
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Sift together the flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda.

Step 2: Mix the pumpkin, oil, eggs, 1/4 cup of water, and spices together, then combine with the dry ingredients, but do not mix too thoroughly. Stir in the walnuts.

Step 3: Pour into a well-greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.

Step 4: Bake 50-60 minutes until a thin skewer poked in the very center of the loaf comes out clean. Turn out of the pan and let cool on a rack.

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