It can be challenging (and awkward) to handle whole pumpkins. Join us as we teach you how to cut a pumpkin the simplest way possible! We’ll demonstrate how to peel the pumpkin, cut it into wedges and cubes, and prepare it for cooking. Additionally, get a ton of pumpkin recipe options, including pies, risotto, and lasagne.
Table of Contents
How to Cut a Pumpkin
Pumpkins are not the easiest to cut, much like watermelons, but with a few straightforward tips, you can do it quickly and safely. On the recipe card, I suggest watching the video. It will make a lot more sense than the following text:
You need a sizable, razor-sharp knife. On a stable work surface with a sizable cutting board, cut your pumpkin. In order for the pumpkin to sit steadily, place it on its bottom (against the stem).
Avoiding trying to cut through the stem is crucial. The most difficult part is that. A half-inch to the right or left of the stem, take your knife and plunge it straight into the pumpkin. Whether you are a left- or right-handed person will affect this. Without crossing your arms, take the knife in your dominant hand and place it from the top down into the pumpkin while holding the stem in the other.
Move down toward the cutting board after inserting the knife. To cut the pumpkin into two halves, one of which should be larger than the other, take out the knife, turn the pumpkin away from you like a wheel, and repeat.
How to Store Cut Pumpkin
For up to three days, keep cut pumpkin in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Pumpkin can also be frozen, but since it gets mushy when it thaws, it’s best used in soups, pies, or purees. Whole pumpkins can be kept in storage for a lot longer.
How to Deseed a Pumpkin
To remove the pumpkin’s seeds, use a spoon. Scrape down the sides and remove all the seeds with the “brains” the hairy, mushy, slimy parts of the pumpkin and either remove the seeds by hand to make roasted pumpkin seeds or discard.
How to Peel a Pumpkin
When cut into quarter- or eighth-inch wedges, it is simpler to peel. Therefore, you might want to cut it into wedges with your large, sharp knife before peeling the skin off with a vegetable peeler that has serrated edges or a very sharp, smooth one.
As an alternative, you can roast the pumpkin with its skin still on, and after it has done so, the peel can be removed with ease by hand. When the pumpkin is hot, it peels off easily, but when it cools, it is more challenging. This might not be the best method to peel it, depending on the pumpkin recipes you intend to prepare.
How to Dice Pumpkin
Pumpkin dice is a required ingredient in some recipes. It’s best to peel the pumpkin before dicing it. With your vegetable peeler, first cut the pumpkin into wedges before peeling. The pumpkin can be diced after being cut into long stipes once it has been peeled.
How to Cook Pumpkin & Pumpkin Recipes
You can either cook (approximately. 15 minutes) it, roast (approx. 30-50 minutes) it, steam (approx. a million years) it, or pressure cook (approx. 4 minutes) it.
To boil it, I advise making it in a mouthwateringly flavorful sauce, like a Thai Curry Sauce (see recipe card).
To roast it, you can either roast whole wedges by adding a couple of teaspoons of oil and using your hands to cover it inside and out, and place it on a baking sheet. Depending on the size and thickness, roast it at 400F for 50 to 70 minutes. To make pumpkin puree, follow this method.
OR, you can also roast diced pumpkin by adding the dice to a baking sheet, drizzling with oil, and seasoning with sea salt and pepper, massaging oil and seasoning into the dice with your hands and then spreading them out in an even layer. Do not crowd the pumpkin or else it will steam instead of roast. To ensure that they brown evenly, flip them over with some tongs or move them all around with a spatula after roasting for 20–25 minutes. After another 10 to 15 minutes of roasting, they are finished and ready to be served.
To pressure cook, add peeled and diced pumpkin to a steaming basket and place the basket on the trivet. Fill the pressure cooker’s base with 1 cup of water. Set the pressure cooker to high pressure for 4 minutes after sealing it. Your pumpkin is finished once you quickly release the pressure. It’s perfect for making baby food because it’s a great way to preserve many nutrients. To achieve the desired smoothness, add your pressure-cooked pumpkin to a jar and blend with an immersion blender. Baby will adore it exactly as it is!
How to Make Pumpkin Puree (for Pumpkin Recipes)
As previously mentioned, roast pumpkin wedges with their skins on. As soon as they come out of the oven, peel the skin off with your hands while they are still hot. You can do that, even though it’s hot!
Peeled, roasted pumpkin should be placed in a food processor and processed for at least five minutes, or until very smooth. The pumpkin puree can be used like that, however, it has high water content, and is not suitable for any recipe that calls for “canned pumpkin puree”.
Put some cheesecloth in a colander and set it over a big bowl to get the consistency of canned pumpkin puree. The cheesecloth-lined colander should now contain the pumpkin puree. Cover it with the lid and store it in the refrigerator. Drain the puree overnight or for at least six hours.
Conclusion
You now have sufficient knowledge about pumpkins. With your family, prepare a delicious pumpkin meal!
FAQs
How Do You Properly Cut a Pumpkin?
The pumpkin will naturally begin to split as soon as the knife’s tip is inserted into its center. To further the process, strike the handle’s heel against the pumpkin. the pumpkin into quarters by first cutting one side, then the other. To remove all the seeds, use a tablespoon. Cut off top and tail.
Is Pumpkin Hard to Cut?
Pumpkins, like all winter squashes, have tough skin that makes them hard to peel and cut.
How Do You Prepare a Pumpkin for Eating?
To Boil: Halve the pumpkin; remove seeds, pulp, and stringy portion. Peel and cut into small pieces. 25 minutes or until the vegetables are tender, cover with lightly salted water, and boil. Mash, purée in a food processor or blender, or put through a food mill.
Which Part of a Pumpkin Do You Eat?
Except for its stalk, the pumpkin can be eaten entirely.
Pumpkins are a great source of vitamins A and C, iron and riboflavin. The component of flesh that is connected to the skin. You can get a chunk of the good stuff by peeling off the skin. The flesh of large pumpkins is ideal for soups and curries.
