Tag: Pumpkin

The large orange pumpkins sold for carving in the United States at Halloween are still edible, but they are not as good as pumpkins specifically grown for eating. This is less important if you are making pie, but is something to keep in mind when cooking pumpkins to eat directly. How can you tell if […]

Compared to carving pumpkins, pie pumpkins, aka sugar pumpkins, are smaller and easier to bake: Small and round. Normally found in the grocery store or at farm stands. Full of flesh that’s good for cooking. Are sugar pumpkins the same as regular pumpkins? You can find sugar pumpkins at the supermarket or a farmer’s market […]

Pumpkins, and other members of the squash family (marrows, courgettes, cucumbers, squashes etc.) can, if cross-fertilised with wild members of the family or with ornamental gourds, produce seeds which will grow into poisonous plants, giving rise to “toxic squash syndrome” if eaten. How can you tell if a pumpkin is poisonous? You can identify a […]

When selecting the perfect pumpkin, choose one with no soft spots. It should also be uniform in color, with no signs of mold or unusual discoloration. Also, pick a pumpkin that has its “handle,” or stem, intact. How do you pick the best pumpkin for cooking? Pick a pumpkin that is heavy for its size—this […]

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 […]

11 of the Best Pumpkin Cultivars to Grow for Cooking Cushaw Green-Striped. Dill’s Atlantic. Fairytale. Jarrahdale. Musquee De Provence. Pepitas Hybrid. Red Warty Thing. Rouge Vif d’Etampes. Which pumpkin is the sweetest? Sugar pumpkins Also known as pie pumpkins or sweet pumpkins, the sugar pumpkin is perfect for pies because they aren’t as stringy and […]

Whatever we or others call these gorgeous winter squash, they’re all edible and unique on their own with different levels of sweetness, flavor and texture. What is the tastiest pumpkin? 11 of the Best Pumpkin Cultivars to Grow for Cooking Casper. You may not think of white pumpkins as something to eat instead of displaying […]

For cooking, you’ll want to use sugar pumpkins (also called pie or sweet pumpkins), which are small and round. Long Island Cheese pumpkins, which are more oblong and can look like a wheel of cheese, are also good to eat. Field types are larger; have watery, stringy flesh; and are best used for decorating. What […]

In the 19th century, when a lot of Irish immigrated to the United States, they brought the Halloween tradition of using vegetables to scare the spirits away. In America, the Irish discovered a new vegetable, the pumpkin, which is harvested in the fall, and began using it to scare the evil spirits. What do pumpkins […]

Superfood: Pumpkin Raw pumpkin has only 15 calories per 1/2 cup, and is full of iron, zinc, and fiber. It’s high in vitamin C and beta carotene. Pumpkins are also high in lutein and zeaxanthin, substances that may help prevent the formation of cataracts and reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Why is pumpkin not […]

Some are small (about the size of a softball), some are bigger (the size of a cantaloupe), and some are even bigger than that (the size of a large watermelon). The biggest difference is what is inside the pumpkin. Carving pumpkins (or jack-o-lantern pumpkins) tend to have pale orange flesh, and not very much of […]

A pumpkin with a removed stem may no longer be edible. The pumpkin should be heavier than it looks. Knock on it: If it sounds hollow it’s ripe. Probably the most popular use for pumpkins doesn’t involve eating them. Why are pumpkins so hollow? Given their large size, though, they displace a large amount of […]

How to harvest a pumpkin. long curved stems. To harvest a pumpkin, simply remove the pumpkin stem from the vine and brush off the soil. Some farmers prefer to make a clean cut to the stem with pruning sheers, while others tear the vine off of the stem, leaving a more natural look. How do […]

10 Best Pumpkin Carving Tools Dremel Pumpkin Carving Kit. PHOTO: AMAZON. Dremel Flex Shaft Attachment. PHOTO: AMAZON. Pumpkin Gutter Drill Attachment. PHOTO: AMAZON. Pumpkin Masters Power Saw. PHOTO: AMAZON. Speedball Linoleum Cutter. PHOTO: AMAZON. Saral Transfer Paper. Zombie Pumpkins Pro Pumpkin Carving Tool Set. Knife Sharpener. What’s the best tool to use to carve a […]

How to Make Mini Pumpkin Lanterns Choose pumpkins that are small but round. Too flattened and you won’t be able to carve it. Cut a circle and remove the top as you would with a larger pumpkin. Use a sharp, small knife to reduce the risk of cutting yourself. Draw the face on the side […]

The skin isn’t as tough as other varieties, such as butternut, meaning it’s not only edible, but tasty too! When cooked to perfection, the skin becomes a little chewy and caramelised, adding big flavour and texture to your meal. Do I need to remove pumpkin skin? Depending on what type of squash you are using […]

Depending on what type of squash you are using you might not need to peel it, with thinner skinned squash such as butternut squash you can eat the skin. For thicker skinned squash it is often easier to cut the squash into large wedges, roast, and then peel the skin off after it’s cooked when […]

A solid moisturizing regimen is always a good idea. If it’s a carved pumpkin you’re treating, you can use petroleum jelly or vegetable oil to rub into all the exposed parts (do this after a bleach soak for twice the benefits). Petroleum jelly, according to these carving experts, helps it to not dry out and […]

Just like watermelons, the best pumpkins to pick have a deep, hollow sound when you tap them. To test for a good one, hold the pumpkin with one hand, place your ear next to the pumpkin, and knock on its side with the knuckles of your other hand. If you hear an echoing, hollow sound, […]

How to Carve a Pumpkin Step by Step Cut into the pumpkin. Place your pumpkin on a solid surface you can wash (or spread newspaper to catch any drips). Pull out the guts and seeds. Draw your design. Cut out your design. Step 5: Condition your jack-o’-lantern. Step 6: Illuminate your jack-o’-lantern. How do you […]