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Farm Kitchen:  cooking pumpkin and squash which way is best?  |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 08:19:05 AM
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I am cooking a cinderella pumpkin today and have several more and a cushaw too. I have usually roasted them in the oven with a little water and foil over the the top at 350 degrees. After they cook then I scoop out the flesh and puree it and freeze it. If its too watery then I strain it through cheese cloth.
Does anyone have a better way to process pumpkin and squash that would work better? Do you puree it or leave it natural?
Also wondered what everyone does with their pumpkin seeds they have left over. I wondered if the cushaw squash seeds were safe to eat. In the past I have just roasted the pumpkin seeds with salt but they were sorta dry. How do you all fix yours?
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 08:26:16 AM
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I really like roasting it, Linda--the full, rich flavor of the squash comes out, though i never do roast in water. About 350 for 45-55 minutes, depending on the size of the pumpkin. Slice and clean out pulp, put face down on cookie sheet sprayed with a little cooking spray and it separates so easily from the skin when finished. I do puree mine, put it in freezer bags (pressed flat and folded) and then into the freezer.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 08:50:18 AM
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Thanks Joni,
I didn't put much water in maybe 3/4 of an inch. I am going to poor that off and let it finish dry. I will spray it with oil next time and do it that way from the start.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
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meggy2
True Blue Farmgirl
111 Posts
barb
Flemington
Missouri
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 1:36:45 PM
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| Linda, I also bake mine in the oven then puree before freezing. As for the seeds, I do not know about the cushaw seeds, but I usually toss the seeds in a little olive oil, put on a cookie sheet, salt, and bake until they are a little brown. |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2011 : 1:45:14 PM
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I've never made squash seeds, but I did make curried pumpkin seeds a few days back (after roasting my pumpkin and making puree for Thankgsiving) and my VERY picky 2 1/2 year old ate every single one of them. It was an old Victory Garden recipe where you add 2-3 tblsps of curry powder to 1/2 cup of warm water, and add a bit of salt and warm to boil, cooking the seeds for 10 minutes in the curry solution, then drain and bake them at 250 for an hour and 30 minutes. VERY good!!! I've been so concerned about my daughter's fiber intake, but that seemed to curb that problem ;)
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - Nov 18 2011 : 12:33:37 PM
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I am on my second pumpkin today and they taste great roasted.I made sure I didn't put any water in this time and it worked out much better. My skins did no come off easy tho. I actually had to cut them off even tho the pulp was super soft. I just wonder if this is because these are cinderella pumpkins. Anyway I am going to roast all the seeds tomorrow. I will cook the cushaw tomorrow and cook the seeds from that one seperately. I am going to try to research them on the internet and make sure they are not toxic to eat.
I may have to try the curry ones with some of them and the oil and salt on the rest. They both sound very good.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
Edited by - wooliespinner on Nov 18 2011 12:34:37 PM |
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Nov 20 2011 : 03:30:33 AM
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I too, like the baking/roasting better for one you don't lose all the minerals ect like you do if you boil them...anyway you do them takes time but I like the roasting cause I can get them out with no fuss & dump more in the pan to roast while the cooked ones cool & I tend to them plus you don't have to chop them up which takes so much time by the time you do one large pot your hands are giving out....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
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ivmeer
True Blue Farmgirl
409 Posts
Amanda
Pawtucket
RI
USA
409 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2011 : 06:01:22 AM
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| I do what you do, too. |
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Farm Kitchen: cooking pumpkin and squash which way is best? |
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cooking pumpkin and squash which way is best?
