Instructions for Roasting a Whole Pumpkin For Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Steps

1. 1Set oven to 400F. Wash pumpkin well and cut off the top of the stem.
2. 2Rub skin lightly with olive oil.
3. 3Place a baking sheet on the lower rack below the pumpkin to catch any juice, then put the pumpkin directly on the rack above.
4. 4Roast for 60 – 90 minutes. The actual time will vary based on the oven’s actual temperature, the moistness of the pumpkin, the variety of pumpkin. But it’s done when a knife slips into the flesh very easily. The size in my photos above only took 60 minutes and was perfectly cooked.
5. 5Remove pumpkins from oven. Let them cool a bit before slicing. Also, be careful when slicing open to avoid a steam burn.
6. 6Scoop out the seeds (save them for roasting!) and place pumpkin flesh in the food processor. Fresh pumpkin is more fibrous than canned, so it needs to be put through a food mill or food processor.
7. 7Spoon pumpkin into jars, cover and refrigerate or freeze for later.