Kitchen Hacks: Do this and You Can Puree a Pumpkin in under 3 Minutes - April 2024

There are many ways to turn pumpkin into the healthiest meals for all in the family, but the thing about this luscious fruit is ─ all of its beneficial goodness is encased inside a tough, almost impenetrable, woody exterior. This makes getting at the pumpkin’s flesh quite a time-consuming, labour-intensive job. Imagine spending hours hacking away at an impossible shell to peel the fruit!

But not anymore. With these three easy tips on how to get at the pumpkin’s flesh without breaking a sweat, soon you’ll be whipping out pumpkin desserts and curries and stirfries or even baby weaning food like a masterchef.

There’s a cool Pumpkin Pie Parfait and a Pumpkin Butter recipe that’s just perfect for kids’ parties but both call for pumpkin puree which requires removing the skin. While the recipes themselves require no cooking skill and no time to make, how can you puree pumpkin applying the same no-skill and no-time required techniques?

Easy. Just follow these clever hacks and you will have your pumpkin ready for eating in a jiffy.

Pumpkin goodness is not only in its flesh but also in its seeds. They are a great source of protein and unsaturated fats, including omega-3, zinc, iron, selenium, calcium, B vitamins and beta-carotene. Pumpkin seeds also support prostate health which is why they are a popular remedy for men’s health issues.

1. Zap the Pumpkin with the Microwave

Place the pumpkin half cut-side-down on a microwave-safe dish with a bit of water in it. Microwave on high for three minutes, longer for a larger pumpkin, then turn it upwards and the flesh is soft and pliable and already pureed.

Cut the pumpkin into half (from the top or side whichever you prefer) or buy pumpkin that has already been cut up by the supermarket or store so you save on time and brute strength wielding a knife for this trick.

After removing the seeds with a spoon, poke the pumpkin all over with the tines of a sturdy fork. Place it in a microwave-safe dish, pour in a little water (like 1cm) and microwave on high for three minutes. Let it cool down, then using a knife to nick the skin for grip, use your fingers to peel off the rest of the skin. It should come off in big pieces with no resistance.

If you zap the pumpkin a little longer, like say five to eight minutes and it gets cooked more, it turns very soft inside, almost like it’s already pureed. Wait for it to cool down (the pumpkin retains heat for a long while), turn it over and you can scoop out the insides with a spoon.

As you can see, the flesh is already soft and pureed ─ all without the need for a blender or food processor. This can be baby’s weaning food, or it can be stirred into porridge or cereals or you can use the puree to make pumpkin pancakes, cupcakes, and cookies.

2. Steam or Bake the Pumpkin while still in its shell

Alternatively, you can steam the pumpkin after it has been halved and cleaned but cooking it this way will take far longer. If you use the steamer, it will take about 50 minutes to an hour depending on the size of the pumpkin.

Or you can bake it in the oven. If using the oven, place the pumpkin halves cut side up on a baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 375º F for about 15 minutes (small), 30 minutes (medium), 45 minutes (large), or until you can poke a fork in and the flesh feels tender. (You can also roast the seeds at the same time this way).

If baking the pumpkin in an oven, place it cut side up.

Note: If you cook the pumpkin before peeling, the flesh will always be in pureed form.

3. Cut a Raw Pumpkin using a Knife or Y-Shaped Peeler

Sometimes the ridges of a pumpkin are so deep that they render a vegetable peeler ineffective at removing the skin in the indents. To solve the problem, cut the pumpkin into strips following its ridges.

If you want your pumpkin raw, firm and in chunks to make curry or a stirfry, then it is best to de-skin the pumpkin prior to cooking. Now this method will definitely take more than three minutes but some recipes call for pumpkin to retain its form in cubes or chunks.

Cut the pumpkin into strips according to the ridges. Use a long sharp chef’s knife. Cut from top to bottom. Once you have all the crescent-shaped strips, use your Y-shaped peeler to whittle off the skin. Don’t worry, the peeler will strip off the skin easily.

If you want the job done quicker, after cutting your strips, cut those strips still with the skin on into chunks. Now using your knife, slice the skin off by cutting them downwards on to your chopping board. You may take off a bit more flesh this way than with a peeler, but if time is of essence, then the knife is much faster.

If you want your pumpkin pieces in defined shapes, use a Y-shaped peeler or knife to cut away the skin.

And there you have it ─ raw pumpkin cut into chunks ready for cooking any way you want.

Health facts: Pumpkins are packed with vitamins and minerals that support heart and eye health, boosting immunity, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and supplementing dietary fibre. To reap its benefits, incorporate the pumpkin into the family’s diet regularly.

For more great tips on how to get your meals done faster, visit Motherhood.com.my.