Hey, pumpkin lover! Ever thought about cooking up your pumpkin puree? Well, forget the cans and fire up your Instant Pot because I’ve got the lowdown on how to do it, and trust me, it’s a breeze!
You know when fall hits and you’re itching to bake some pumpkin goodies? Instead of grabbing that old can of pumpkin, why not give your Instant Pot a shot? It’s seriously so simple!
Once your pumpkin’s all cooked and ready in the Instant Pot, you can whip up your very own fresh pumpkin puree. It’s like kitchen magic! And the best part? You can stash it in the fridge for about a week. But if you’re not diving into pumpkin recipes right away, no sweat! Just pop that puree in the freezer.
Once it’s drained, divide it into small servings and freeze ’em up. Then, whenever the craving for pumpkin strikes, you’re ready to roll for baking, smoothies, desserts, soups—you name it!
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, homemade pumpkin puree can chill in the freezer for a good 3 to 6 months. So go ahead, stock up, and get ready to indulge in those cosy fall flavours whenever the mood strikes!
Instant Pot Pumpkin Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 Pie Pumpkin or Sugar Pumpkin
- 1/2-1 cup Water for making the puree
- 1 cup Water for cooking
Instructions
- Start by setting up your Instant Pot. If you’ve got a trivet, put it in and add some water. Then, just place your whole pumpkin on top. No need to chop it up or anything. Just make sure it fits nicely.
- Seal up the Instant Pot and set it to MANUAL or pressure cook mode for 12 minutes. Once it’s done, let the pressure release naturally. It’ll take a little time, but it’s worth the wait!
- When the pumpkin is cool enough to handle, carefully move it to a big plate or tray. Now, slice it open and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Don’t worry, it’s not too messy.
- Once the seeds are out, scoop out all that cooked pumpkin flesh from the skin. Pop it into a food processor or blender. If it’s too thick, add some water to get that smooth texture you’re looking for. The amount of water is totally up to you—just add a little at a time until it feels right.
- Ta-da! Your homemade pumpkin puree is ready to use. You can use it right away in your recipes or pop it in the fridge or freezer for later. And guess what? It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 6 months! So go ahead, stock up and enjoy pumpkin treats all year round.
Notes
- Cooking Time Depends on Pumpkin Size: The cooking time can change depending on how big your pumpkin is. Mine filled up the 6-quart Instant Pot completely, and there wasn’t even space for the trivet. Keep this in mind when deciding how long to cook it.
- Checking for Doneness: Some pumpkins might be tougher and need more cooking time. After you release the pressure, poke the flesh with a fork to see if it’s soft. If it’s still hard, cook it for another five minutes.
Nutrition Facts:
| Nutrition | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 175Â kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 42g |
| Protein | 5g |
| Fat | 2g |
| Sodium | 17mg |
| Sugar | 17g |
| Calcium | 145mg |
| Iron | 4mg |
How To Store Pumpkin Puree?
When you make a bunch of pumpkin puree from one big pumpkin, it’s hard to use it all up right away. That’s where freezing comes in handy! I like to store the puree in small containers in the freezer. It stays good for up to 6 months, so you can enjoy it whenever you want!
How Long Does it Take to Steam Pumpkin Pieces?
To steam pumpkin pieces, first peel and remove the seeds, then cut them into evenly sized cubes. Place the cubes in a steamer or colander over a pot of simmering water and let them cook for about 10 minutes. Test their tenderness with the point of a knife—if they’re still not cooked through, give them another 5 minutes. Once they’re soft enough, mash them up and let them cool.
How Long Does Raw Pumpkin Take to Cook?
For a 2-3 pound sugar pumpkin (also known as a pie pumpkin), we like to bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 Celsius) for 45-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the skin is tender and can be easily pierced with a fork. Let the pumpkin cool down a bit before you start handling it.