Pumpkin

I saved this in 2009!

To Prepare for cooking:

How you plan to cook the pumpkin determines what should be done with it. Small pumpkins can be baked whole, in which case you need only cut a circle around the stem, making a lid, and scoop out the seeds and pulp. Pumpkins to be boiled should be cut into 2-3 inch chunks or strips AND peeled.

BOILED PUMPKIN

• 1 (3-4 lb) ripe pumpkin, cut into 2 -3 inch chunks or strips and peeled
• 1 quart (liter) water (boiling)
• 1-1/2 tsp salt
• pinch pepper
• 2-3 Tablespoons butter

Place pumpkin, water, and salt in large saucepan. Cover. Boil for 25-30 minutes, until fork tender. Drain off water. Add pepper and butter and serve.

110 calories per serving (serves 4)

MASHED PUMPKIN

1. Boil and drain as directed above.
2. Mash.
3. Add pepper and margarine or butter.
4. If desired, also add 2-3 TBSP milk or cream and beat until fluffy with electric mixer (like making mashed potatoes).

Also good adding some brown sugar or honey to this.

BAKE for PUREE

• 1 (6-7 lb) ripe pumpkin
• 1/4 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Halve pumpkin crosswise and scoop out seeds and strings.
3. Place halves in a large baking dish, hallow side down.
4. Bake uncovered 1-1/2 to 2 hours until fork tender.
5. Remove from oven and cool.
6. Scrape pulp from shells and puree in blender a little at a time (or food processor).
7. Mix in salt.

Use immediately in any recipe (like pumpkin pie) that calls for pumpkin puree. Makes 1 quart of prepared pumpkin puree for pumpkin pies.

NOTE: 1 lb raw pumpkin yields 1 cup cooked pumpkin (1 serving).
75 calories per cup.

BAKED Whole Pumpkin

• 1 (4 lb) ripe pumpkin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 3 Tbsp butter

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Cut a 3 inch circle around stem. Remove and save as a lid.
3. Scoop out seeds and strings.
4. Sprinkle with salt and pepper (in pumpkin).
5. Place Pumpkin on ungreased baking sheet and set lid on try skin side down.

Bake uncovered 1 to 1-1/2 hours until fork tender. Test for doneness after 45 minutes of baking time.

Cut into wedges to serve.

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Muirghein Fionn in Toronto e-mail: ladyteri@clo.com http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/2802

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