help! pumpkin won't puree

[djoygirl]

Please help! I cooked a pumpkin but I can't puree it. I have read in several places that you can use a blender instead of food processor. I don't have a f.p. or food mill. My blender just took one turn and wouldn't go any further. Should I add some water or something? I don't want it to be too runny to use in my recipes. Any ideas?

[emilycat]

I'm thinking that perhaps you didn't cook it long enough -- maybe try steaming it a bit longer?

[heatherfeather]

I cook fresh pumpkin every year. I use a hand hend stick blender to puree my pumpkin - it comes out very smooth and creamy that way and tastes great in pies.

This is how I learned to cook pumpkin:

Choose a pumpkin heavy for its size - all pumpkin are edible (even the big ones). I usually buy the little pie pumpkins, however, for eating, and save the big ones for decorating. The smaller ones are less stringy and taste better.

How to cook:

Boiling method: (what I do most often) Cut pumpkin into 2" pieces in lightly salted water for about 15-20 minutes until tender. You can use a knife to cut off the rind before boiling, that way you can puree the cooked pumpkin in the pan after draining.
The pumpkin chunks will be soft like potaotes ready for mashing.

Baking method: Cut pumpkin into 2" peces and brush lightly with melted butter (or spray with cooking spray) - bake at 350 F on a cooking sheet or in a casserole pan for 45 minutes.

(I turn to this method every year ever since I first read it in Taste of Home Magazine (October/Noverber 1997 issue)