How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (2025)

How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (1)

Looking for How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) - Easily! With Step-by-step Photos, Recipe, Directions, Ingredients and Costs in 2024? Scroll down this page and follow the links.And if you bring home some fruit or vegetables and want to can, freeze, makejam, salsa or pickles, see thispage for simple, reliable, illustrated canning, freezing or preservingdirections. There are plenty of other related resources, click on the resources dropdown above. If you are having a hard timefinding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

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How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) - Easily! With Step-by-step Photos, Recipe, Directions, Ingredients and Costs

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You probably take canned pumpkin for granted. You're there, the can isthere, there's a pumpkin on the label... open it and mix it up with spices tomake a pie, right. Ah, but a pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread madefrom a fresh pumpkin tastes so much better than the glop that was processed lastyear! Here's how to do it, complete instructions in easy steps and completelyillustrated. And it is much easier than you think, using my "patented" tips andtricks!

Directions for Making Pumpkin Filling from ScratchTo Freeze or Use Fresh

Ingredients and Equipment

  • a pie pumpkin(see step 1)
  • A sharp, large serrated knife
  • an ice cream scoop
  • a large microwaveable bowl or large pot

Recipe and Directions

Step 1 - Get your pie pumpkin

How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (2)"Piepumpkins" are smaller, sweeter, less grainy textured pumpkins than the usualjack-o-lantern types. grocery stores usually carry them in late Septemberthrough December in the U.S. Note: the Libby's can of cooked pumpkinis just there for reference - it is the small can, so that gives you an idea ofthe size of a typical pie pumpkin. They're only about 8 inches indiameter.

Just like selecting any squash, look for one that is firm, no bruises or softspots, and a good orange color.

Yield: Pie pumpkins are small, usually only 6 inches in diameter. Youcan usually obtain about 2 or 3 cups or puree per pumpkin.

Step 2 - Prepare the pumpkin for cooking

How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (3)Washthe exterior of the pumpkin in cool or warm water, no soap.

Cut the pumpkin in half. A serrated knife and a sawing motion worksbest - a smooth knife is more likely to slip and hurt you!

Step 3 - Scoop out the seeds...

How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (4)Andscrape the insides. You want to get out that stringy, dangly stuff thatcoats the inside surface. I find a heavy ice cream scoop works great forthis.

Note: SAVE THE SEEDS:

The seeds can be used either to plant pumpkins next year, orroasted to eat this year! Place them in a bowl of water and rub them betweenyour hands. then pick out the orange buts (throw that away) and drain offthe water. Spread them out on a clean towel or paper towel to dry and they'reready to save for next year's planting or roast.Click here for roasting instructions!(opens in a new window)

Step 4 - Put it in a microwaveable bowl

How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (5)Removethe stem, and put the pumpkin into a microwaveable. You may need to cut thepumpkin further to make it fit. The fewer the number of pieces, the easierit will to scoop out the cooked pumpkin afterwards.

Put a couple of inches of water in the bowl, cover it, and put in themicrowave.

Step 5 - Cook the pumpkin until soft

How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (6)Cookfor 15 minutes on high, check to see if it is soft, then repeat in smallerincrements of time until it is soft enough to scoop the innards out.Normally it takes 20 or 30 minutes in total.

Note: You CAN cook it on the stovetop; it will just take longer (almost twiceas long)

Step 6 - Scoop out the cooked pumpkin

How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (7)Usinga broad, smooth spoon, (such as a tablespoon) gently lift and scoop the cookedpumpkin out of the skin. It should separate easily an in fairly largechucks, if the pumpkin is cooked enough.

Step 7 - Puree the pumpkin

How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (8)Toget a nice, smooth consistency, I use a Pillsbury hand blender. A regularblender works, too (unless you made a few frozen daiquiris and drank themfirst..). Or even just a hand mixer with time and patience.

With the hand blender, it just takes 2 or 3 minutes!

Step 8 - Done with the pumpkin!

The pumpkin is noHow to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (9)wcooked and ready for freezing or pie recipe. Get the frozen daiquiris outfrom step 7 and take a break! :)

You can pack it containers, like Ziploc bags or plastic containers, excludeas much air as you can, and freeze it!

... or to start making tasty treats.

how about ...

I love the FoodSavers (seethis page for more information) with their vacuum sealing! Here'san example of one model:

FoodSaver V2840 Advanced Design

This one is the least expensive of the Food Saver models that has all theadvamced features, like automatic bag detection and sealing, which makes itfaster and easier to seal. And yes, you can seal and freeze foods withliquids (just freeze the unsealed bag in the freezer overnight, THEN sealit!)

How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (10)

About $135
How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (11)How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (12)

Features

  • Home vacuum-packaging system vacuums, seals, and shuts offautomatically
  • Upright vacuum-sealingappliance with SmartSeal technology keeps food fresh longer
  • Push-button operation;built-in roll storage and cutter; automatic liquid detection
  • Crush-free instant seal;2 vacuum speeds; 2 seal levels; progress lights; integratedbag opener
  • Marinate and canistermodes; includes 3 quart-size bags, 2 gallon-size bags, and aroll of bag material
  • Measures approximately 6by 18-8/9 by 10-2/5 inches; 1-year limited warranty

How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (13)

How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (14)How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (15)

Looking for canning equipment and supplies?

Water bath canner with a jar rack

Electric pressure canner

Pressure canners for gas, electric and induction stoves: Presto23Qt or T-fal 22Qt

Canning scoop (this one is PERFECT)

Ball Blue book (most recent version)

8oz canning jars for jams

Regular canning lids

Wide mouth canning lids


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How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (16)

How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (17)How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (18)

How to Make How to freeze pumpkin from your garden (directions, recipe, with photos) (2025)

FAQs

Can I freeze raw pumpkin without blanching? ›

Freeze it: Cooked or raw pumpkin can be frozen. Cut raw pumpkin and store in a labelled sealable freezer bag or container. If you have pumpkin puree you can freeze them in ice cube trays then transfer into a freezer bag or container.

How do you preserve pumpkins for freezing? ›

Cook until soft in boiling water, in steam, in a pressure cooker or in an oven. When soft, remove pulp from rind and mash. To cool, place pan containing pumpkin in cold water and stir occasionally. Pack into rigid containers leaving ½-inch headspace and freeze.

How do you freeze pure pumpkin? ›

A can's worth of pumpkin purée is about 15 ounces by weight, which fits perfectly inside a quart-sized zip-top bag. Freeze the bags flat on a baking sheet and you can then store them upright like a file. These flat bags thaw easily at room temperature, or you can quickly thaw them in the microwave.

How do you preserve a pumpkin permanently? ›

Let your pumpkin dry completely, then choose one of the options below to keep it fresh:
  1. Spray daily with a bleach solution (use ratio above)
  2. Spray daily with a pumpkin spray (either store bought or homemade)
  3. Spray with WD-40 (just once or after each soak)
  4. Rub with petroleum jelly (just once or after each soak)

How do you preserve a pumpkin after harvesting? ›

Do not store on bare ground or garden soil or concrete. Place straw or newspaper beneath the pumpkin and store it on its side. Store in a dark, cool, dry place, keeping the pumpkin dry. A temperature range of 10-16 degC is ideal.

Do pumpkins go bad if they freeze? ›

But cold weather can cut into a pumpkin's lifespan. A little light frost might cause a little discoloration; but the pumpkin won't fare well if temperature drop below freezing. "Freezing temperatures damage the plant cells just like they would with any living organism," he says.

How long does fresh cooked pumpkin last in the freezer? ›

To extend the life of your pumpkin purée, move it to the freezer where it will stay fresh for up to three months. These same store and shelf life rules apply to homemade pumpkin purée as well.

Is it better to freeze or canning pumpkins? ›

Pumpkin can be frozen or canned, Freezing is the easiest method to preserve pumpkin and will result in a quality product later on. Thoroughly wash the pumpkin, prick with a knife or fork in several places. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 30-45 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (until tender).

Can you cook pumpkin from frozen? ›

Indeed! And you don't need to worry about thawing them either. In fact, you shouldn't thaw frozen vegetables before roasting them. The high heat of the oven will cause the moisture from the frozen vegetables to evaporate rapidly, giving you a crispier result than if you were to pre-thaw your frozen vegetables.

Can you vacuum seal and freeze pumpkin? ›

Sealing Raw Pumpkin

These can be discarded. Then, peel the pumpkin, leaving just the flavorful flesh behind. Cut the flesh into smaller chunks for easy vacuum sealing. After you've locked in the pumpkin's freshness in a FoodSaver® bag or roll, put it in the freezer for later.

Can I freeze pumpkin without cooking it first? ›

Pumpkins can be easily frozen in their raw, puréed, or cooked state. They can be stored safely for up to three months, at which point you should make sure you use them up.

How do you thaw frozen pumpkin? ›

If you froze the pumpkin in an ice tray, those portions should thaw in just a few hours or less. If you're in rush, you can thaw frozen pumpkin in the microwave on the defrost setting. Like meat, you can also defrost the puree (still in its container or bag) by submerging it in water.

Should I give pumpkin to my dog? ›

Yes, dogs can eat pumpkin and it is actually often added to dog foods. Check the label of some dog treats and you may find pumpkin on the ingredient list there too. However, if you are feeding fresh pumpkin, you will need to be careful about which part you're feeding as the stem and leaves are covered in prickly hairs.

Should I pick pumpkins before a freeze? ›

Harvest pumpkins when they have developed a uniform orange color and have a hard rind. Harvest all mature pumpkins before a hard freeze. A light frost will destroy the vines but should not harm the fruit. However, a hard freeze may damage the fruit.

Are pumpkins still good after they freeze? ›

A little light frost might cause a little discoloration; but the pumpkin won't fare well if temperature drop below freezing. "Freezing temperatures damage the plant cells just like they would with any living organism," he says.

How to store uncooked pumpkin? ›

Pumpkins. Whole pumpkins can be stored for months in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight. Cut pumpkin should be stored in the fridge with the seeds removed, as these decay faster than the flesh. You can simply store it uncovered in the crisper and cut off the dried outer layer before cooking, or wrap it in plastic.

Can you freeze pumpkin guts and seeds? ›

Just like onion peels and carrot tops, the bit of pumpkin you usually throw out is an excellent contender for homemade stock. Store the guts, seeds and all, in a airtight container or bag in the freezer, along with any other veggie scraps you have, until you have a moment to make it.

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