Don't throw away your pumpkins after Halloween! Make pumpkin puree instead! This is a simple recipe to make as long as you have an oven, a blender, knife, and of course, a pumpkin or two!
Start by cutting a circle around the stem at the top of your pumpkin. Pull the cut piece out. If you want to save the seeds to roast later, put them in a bowl or container as you clean the pumpkin.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Next, you'll want to cut the pumpkin into manageable pieces for a cookie sheet. If it's a smaller pumpkin I normally cut it in halves, but since this was a larger pumpkin I cut it into quarters.
After you cut it (make sure to cut the brown spot at the bottom off too), then you can remove the strings and seeds. I used a knife to trim these off, but a fork or a spoon would work too. Once that is done poke holes in the skin-side of the pumpkin before placing flesh-side down onto the cookie sheet.
My oven wasn't big enough for the whole pumpkin, so you may end up having to cook the pumpkin in more than one batch. Bake the pumpkin for 50-60 minutes, or until fork tender. If the pumpkin is not soft enough after an hour, give it another 10 minutes in the oven, then check again.
Once the pumpkin has softened, take out of the oven and begin to peel the skin off. You can use your hands, but I like to use a knife because it's quicker and there is less risk of getting burnt.
When all of the skin is off of the pumpkin, cut into chunks. Place chunks in a blender (a food processor would also work) and turn on high for 5-10 minutes. Add pumpkin chunks until you reach the limit on your blender, then add spices of choice. I like to add cinnamon and nutmeg to mine (about 1 tsp. each).
After the pumpkin has been blended smooth, store in freezer bags, mason jars, or plastic containers. Pumpkin puree freezes well and can be used up to a year after it's been frozen. Use puree within a week if storing in fridge or after it's been thawed. I love to use pumpkin puree to make pumpkin bread, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pie, and basically any other recipe that you can use it in! Enjoy!
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