In addition to sweet preparations, Sugar Pie pumpkins can be used in savory dishes such as soups, hollowed out, stuffed, and baked similarly to acorn squash, cubed and roasted as a side dish, or sliced into wedges and grilled. They are also used to make gnocchi, chili, empanadas, and curries.
What can I use sugar pumpkins for?
In addition to pies, sugar pumpkins can also be used for baking cookies, cakes, and muffins. An average sugar pumpkin will yield as much as a can of pumpkin.
Can you eat sugar pie pumpkins?
Also called pie pumpkins or sweet pumpkins, sugar pumpkins are smaller, sweeter, and less fibrous, which makes them a great choice for cooking. They belong to the winter squash family (as do butternut and acorn squash, and kabocha), and are delicious prepared in similar ways.
Are sugar pumpkins for baking?
What is this? Just like all types of winter squash, sugar pumpkins can be baked, roasted, boiled, stewed, steamed, and pureed. You can even cook them in your Instant Pot. For the best flavor, however, I recommend slathering the skin and flesh in a little oil and baking or roasting in the oven.
How do you cut a sugar pie pumpkin?
With small edible sugar pie pumpkin, poke it all around with a sharp knife or fork, pop it into the microwave and cook on high for five minute intervals until it is easily pierced with a fork. Then cut it in half, remove the seeds and scoop out the flesh from the skin.
How big do Sugar Pie pumpkins get?
Sugar Pie Pumpkins are bright orange and have a very light ribbing with well secured handles when mature. Vines can spread 1.8-2.4 m (6-8′) long and grow approximately 61-76 cm (24-30”) tall.
What pumpkins are best for pies?
The best pumpkins for pie are heirloom culinary varieties with dense, sweet flesh that’s not watery or stringy. Some of the best pumpkin for making pumpkin pie include Fairytale Pumpkins, Jarrahdale Pumpkins, Dickinson Pumpkins, Long Pie Pumpkins, and Red Kuri Squash.
What’s the difference between a sugar pumpkin and a regular pumpkin?
This small, round pumpkin is packed full of flesh that makes it a good choice for cooking. The pulp also has a better texture (less grainy) and is sweeter. Compared to carving pumpkins, pie pumpkins, aka sugar pumpkins, are smaller and easier to bake: Small and round.
How do you know when a sugar pumpkin is ripe?
Sugar pumpkins are ripe when they are solid orange. If all green has faded into orange, you probably have a ripe pumpkin on your hands.
How long do Sugar Pie pumpkins last?
Storing & Cooking Information
It will last at room temp for weeks and at 40-50 degrees for several months. If cut open, put in fridge.
Can you eat small sugar pumpkins?
Bon Appétit says, “Sugar pumpkins are smaller, sweeter, and less fibrous, which makes them a great choice for cooking… Their solid texture turns creamy with roasting, steaming, sautéing, or pureeing.
Are sugar pumpkins stringy?
Often just 2-4 pounds, sugar pumpkins (also known as pie pumpkins or pumpkin pie squash) are sweeter than larger carving pumpkins, making them perfect for all of your favourite pumpkin dishes. Their flesh is also firmer and less stringy than carving pumpkins.
Can you carve a pie pumpkin?
Yes, you can! But it probably won’t taste as good. You won’t get as much pumpkin out of one of a jack-o-lantern pumpkin as you would a pie pumpkin of the same size. And it will probably have a different flavor.
How do you get the meat out of a pumpkin?
When cool, use the same OXO tool or some other scraper to scoop the flesh from the skin of the pumpkin. If you want puree, just put it in a food processor, so easy! Place in a bowl and keep refrigerated until ready to use in recipes, such as pie, muffins or cakes.
How do you soften a pumpkin for cutting?
Bake or microwave it
For all large, difficult-to-cut squash and pumpkins (or a recipe where you’re keeping the squash mostly whole, like this one), giving the whole thing a quick zap in the microwave or the oven is an insanely easy trick for softening the skin just enough to make cutting easier.
How much room do sugar pumpkins need?
Space 36-48” apart, in rows 48-60” apart. Sowing Outdoors: After the last frost when the soil reaches at least 70ºF. Sow 2-3 seeds per space/hill, 36-48” apart, in rows 48-60” apart. Harvest: When skin turns color and rinds are hard.
How do you care for sugar pumpkins?
Keep the weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space, and nutrients, so it is important to control them by either cultivating often or use mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating especially when the pumpkin seedlings are beginning to emerge.
Do Sugar Pie pumpkins have seeds?
Cucurbita pepo 110 days. An heirloom, Small Sugar pumpkins have very smooth textured, bright orange flesh and the finest flavor for making mouthwatering pies. Vines develop 4–6 round, orange, slightly ribbed, 7 inch diameter, scrumptious wonders. Approximately 6 seeds per gram.
Can all pumpkins be used for pie?
The biggest pumpkins make for the best pie, right? Well… maybe not. Most cultivars are edible, and you can make pie out of your giant ‘Jack-O-Lantern’ or ‘Howden’ Halloween gourds, but the flesh tends to be watery, stringy, and not-so-sweet.
Are pie pumpkins supposed to be hard?
After about 45 minutes, the pumpkins will be soft enough to cut open easily. (Just beware of escaping steam.) Cut them open, scrape out the seeds and strings, and return the cleaned halves to the oven on a baking sheet. Bake for another 30 minutes, or until the flesh can be easily scraped from the shell.
Can you cook any type of pumpkin?
Now, you actually can cook with any kind of pumpkin, but starting out with a pie pumpkin, or sugar pumpkin is going to help you end up with more pumpkin from less work. Pie pumpkins are smaller, often a little squatier in shape, and if you are fortunate, labeled as a baking, pie, or sugar pumpkin.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.