Pumpkin Size Cooking and Carving

What is a good size pumpkin for carving?
Can carving pumpkins be used for cooking?
Can large pumpkins be used for cooking?
Can you carve small pumpkins?
Is it better to cut the top or bottom of a pumpkin?
Can I use a carving pumpkin for puree?
What is the difference between a cooking pumpkin and a carving pumpkin?
Are any pumpkins poisonous?
Is there a difference between carving pumpkins and cooking?
Can I use a jack o lantern pumpkin for cooking?
Can you use large pumpkins for puree?

What is a good size pumpkin for carving?

Choose pumpkins that are 3-6 pounds in weight, and have names like Sugar Pie, New England Pie or Baby Pam Pumpkin. Look for a pumpkin with 1-2 inches of stem. If it's green, even better—that means your pumpkin is super fresh. The shape of the pumpkin is unimportant, but it should be free of blemishes and soft spots.

Can carving pumpkins be used for cooking?

Those big pumpkins you see at the pumpkin patch for carving into jack-o'-lanterns look appealing, but they're the worst for cooking and baking. While yes, they are edible and you can cook with them, they're very stringy, bland, and watery.

Can large pumpkins be used for cooking?

Here's the deal. Those large, showing pumpkins are full of water. Yes, you can cook up the flesh, make soup, breads, and cookies. But if you want to make pie or any other recipe that calls for canned pumpkin, then you must get rid of a large amount of liquid.

Can you carve small pumpkins?

When carving the tiny pumpkins, the blade will get “stuck” in the pumpkin's flesh and you may have to apply more pressure to move it forward. ... Keep the pumpkin's face simple – there is just enough room for fun! 1. Cut the top lid from the pumpkin.

Is it better to cut the top or bottom of a pumpkin?

DON'T cut the top of the pumpkin. Cut the bottom instead, which will keep moisture inside the pumpkin longer. ... In a spiral motion, scrape the inside of the pumpkin until all the strings and seeds are free from the walls. Then it will come out in one drop.

Can I use a carving pumpkin for puree?

Carving Pumpkins. ... You can use your pumpkin puree in any of your favorite fall pumpkin recipes like this Chocolate Pumpkin Babka or Pumpkin Streusel Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling! Or portion it out into large ziploc bags and freeze for future use!

What is the difference between a cooking pumpkin and a carving pumpkin?

What's the difference? Carving pumpkins are typically thinner and easier to saw into. They also have less guts on the inside, which are also grainier and stringier, making them easier to clean. Pie pumpkins, meant for baking, are usually smaller and more rounded.

Are any pumpkins poisonous?

Although all the other pumpkins, squashes, and gourds are edible they can sometimes cause a condition called toxic squash syndrome or cucurbit poisoning. All the cucurbits contain Cucurbitacin E that protects them from insects but it can be toxic at high concentration.

Is there a difference between carving pumpkins and cooking?

The choice between carving pumpkins and cooking pumpkins is actually very practical: Carving pumpkins should look nice and be fairly easy to cut through while cooking pumpkins should have a nice taste and texture.

Can I use a jack o lantern pumpkin for cooking?

While they may not be as sweet as a muscat or sugar pumpkin, they're perfectly edible and I cook mine every year and use it to make homemade pumpkin purée, which I use in all kinds of recipes.

Can you use large pumpkins for puree?

In a large pot over high heat, combine the pumpkin chunks and 5 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 45 minutes, until softened. Drain. In batches, puree the chunks in a food processor until coarsely smooth, about 3 minutes.