How to make your own pumpkin puree

Homemade pumpkin puree. The days of canned pumpkin puree will be long gone once you learn how to make your own pumpkin puree in an instant pot!

My Homemade Pumpkin Puree Recipe is:

• 1 ingredient
• Healthy for you
• Good for gut health
• Easy to make
• Naturally gluten free, dairy free, and vegan

WHY SHOULD YOU LEARN HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN INSTANT POT PUMPKIN PUREE?

1. It's easy
2. It's fresh
3. And, it's cheaper!
4. It's made without an oven too!

Who knows how long canned pumpkin has been sitting on the store shelves.. has it been in that can for 1 year, 2 years, 3?? Not that there is anything wrong with canned food, especially when you buy from BPA free cans and it is organic.. but I always say the fresher the better.

Homemade pumpkin puree is made with fresh local pumpkins. I love buying a bunch of pie pumpkins locally at the farmers market. I just learned about "cured" squash. Basically, if the farmer lets it sit out in the sun for a couple of days, the skin will get really though and allow you to store the squash for months to last you through the winter. And you know what that means, fresh pumpkin puree all winter long!

HEALTH BENEFITS OF PUMPKINS

Pumpkins are amazing for your health! They contain fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, copper, manganese, vitamin B2, vitamin E, and iron!

Pumpkins are also high in disease and inflammation fighting antioxidants! Antioxidants are also important in the cold weather because they help to boost your immune system.

WHAT'S IN MY PUMPKIN PUREE RECIPE

1. Fresh local pumpkin

And that's it!

If you do buy canned pumpkin, make sure of a few things:

1. The can is BPA free
2. It is organic pumpkin
3. There are no sweeteners or preservatives added

But, hopefully this post will inspire you to make your own pumpkin puree because it is so so easy!

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST HOMEMADE PUMPKIN PUREE IN YOUR INSTANT POT

USE A PIE PUMPKIN. Pie pumpkins are much sweeter than carving pumpkins and will give any pumpkin puree recipe a ton more flavor.

CUT PIE PUMPKIN INTO QUARTERS. This way, your pumpkin will cook and cool much faster. And it will fit into your instant pot better!

USE NATURAL RELEASE ON INSTANT POT THEN QUICK RELEASE. Let the pressure out quickly after your pumpkin is steamed to help pumpkin cool off fast.

ALLOW PUMPKIN TO COOL BEFORE SCOOPING OUT THE FLESH. You can place the instant pot pan into an ice bath for even faster cooling.

FAQ'S

Frequently asked questions about homemade instant pot pumpkin puree.

WHAT ARE GOOD PUMPKIN PUREE DESSERT RECIPES?

1. Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls
2. Healthy Pumpkin Pie (Dairy Free, Refined Sugar Free)
3. Almond Flour Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
4. Pumpkin Spice Truffles

IS PUMPKIN PUREE OKAY FOR BABY?

Yes! Pureed pumpkin is an excellent and healthy first food for your baby. Just make sure to follow the 3 day rule and don't introduce anything else after the pumpkin puree to make sure baby is not allergic.

GOOD SAVORY HEALTHY PUMPKIN PUREE RECIPES:

1. Whole Wheat Pumpkin Gnocchi
2. Pumpkin Butternut Squash Soup

TOOLS YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE YOUR OWN PUMPKIN PUREE

1. Steamer, like an instant pot or a pressure cooker

2. Immersion blender

3. Tongs

And of course, a sharp knife, cutting board, and spoon for cutting and de-seeing your pumpkin before you steam it!

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PUMPKIN PUREE

Select a pie pumpkin. Pie pumpkins are the small round pumpkins and are usually labelled "pie pumpkins." You could use a giant carving pumpkin here, but the pumpkin flavor will not be as strong.

Wash the outside of the pumpkin well. You don't want any dirt to end up on the inside of your pumpkin, and then in your puree!

Cut the pumpkin in half. Scrape the flesh and seeds out of each side of the pumpkin. Don't throw the pumpkin seeds away! They are very delicious roasted in the oven.

How to make pumpkin spice roasted pumpkin seeds

Cut each pumpkin half in half again so that you have 4 pieces of pumpkin. If your pumpkin has a stem, remove and discard it.

Place the 4 pumpkin pieces in your instant pot or pressure cooker. Fill the pot with ~1.5-2 inches of water.

Set the instant pot to the pressure cook on high setting for 10 minutes, with the valve set to sealing if you are using an instant pot. Once it is done cooking, you can switch the top of your instant pot venting to release the pressure and steam quickly.

Once the pumpkin is done steaming, allow it to cool slightly before removing the skin.

Next, very carefully scrape the flesh of the pumpkin from the skin into a separate bowl.

Finally, use an immersion blender to puree the pumpkin.

It should be completely smooth:

And that's it! Use it immediately in a yummy pumpkin recipe, or store it to use later!

HOW TO STORE HOMEMADE PUMPKIN PUREE

1. In the fridge for up to a week.
2. In the freezer for months! If you store it in the freezer, make sure to use a freezer bag, or a freezer friendly container.

Fall recipes with pumpkin puree that you might enjoy

1. Pumpkin Spice Truffles
2. Pumpkin Chickpea Cookie Dough

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