15 Fresh Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, From Soup and Stew to Pasta and Pie (2024)

FAQs

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin? ›

Fresh pumpkin is the ideal alternative for recipes that call for solid-pack canned pumpkin. To make pumpkin puree, first make sure you're grabbing the right kind of pumpkin. Look for pumpkins labeled as pie, sugar pie or baking pumpkins (regular carving pumpkins don't fit the bill here!).

“Pumpkin soup is best made with your good, old-fashioned varieties like butternut or Queensland blue — the harder pumpkins,” she says. “Soft fleshed pumpkins can make the soup a little watery. They are a different beast… from your standard greengrocer pumpkin.”

Place the pumpkin, shallots, ginger and some oil in a large saucepan and sauté until soft. Add the stock, coconut milk and chilli powder. Season, then bring to the boil and simmer for 40 minutes. Blitz in a food processor then serve with the fresh herbs, lime juice and a splash of coconut milk.

The canned option had a more powerful pumpkin flavor and a silkier texture. While some of my colleagues preferred the apple sauce-like texture of the fresh, I can't say all that extra work of cleaning, roasting and pureeing a whole pumpkin is worth it, especially during a busy holiday season.

Based on my taste tests, I think that fresh puree would easily elevate any savory pumpkin dish such as soup or pasta. The fresh, unadulterated flavor and fluffy texture would work wonderfully in savory dishes, especially because even “sugar pumpkins” aren't very sweet on their own.

Lowers blood pressure: A pumpkin's orange color is a sign that it's packed with potassium, which helps lower blood pressure, strengthen the bones, and reduce your risk of stroke and kidney stones.

Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, pumpkin is incredibly healthy. What's more, its low calorie content makes it a weight-loss-friendly food. Its nutrients and antioxidants may boost your immune system, protect your eyesight, lower your risk of certain cancers and promote heart and skin health.

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

Scoop out the flesh from 2 or 3 roasted garlic cloves and add to the pan with the nutmeg and a little seasoning. Sauté for a further 1–2 minutes. Stir in the soft pumpkin and Parmesan, then pour in the stock. Bring to the boil, lower the heat and simmer for 10–12 minutes.

If the fresh pumpkin is overripe, it can start to ferment and develop a sour taste. Another factor to consider is the type of fresh pumpkin you're using.

Can you use the stringy part of the pumpkin for soup? ›

Everything from inside your pumpkin can be recycled or used. Pumpkin innards, the stringy orange mess which you scoop out with a spoon ahead of carving, can be roasted, or pureed for cooking in soups.

For those watching their calorie intake, pumpkin is a fantastic choice. It's low in calories but still provides essential nutrients like vitamins A and C, which support digestive health and your immune system. Its high fiber content also helps you feel fuller for longer, reducing the likelihood of overeating.

Pumpkin soup is a usually 'bound' (thick) soup made from a purée of pumpkin. It is made by combining the meat of a blended pumpkin with broth or stock. It can be served hot or cold, and is a common Thanksgiving dish in the United States.

A wonderful option for anyone battling an upset stomach, Yellow Pumpkin Soup is easy to digest, gentle on the stomach, and soothing. Low in calories and high in soluble fiber, Yellow Pumpkin Soup can help keep you and your stomach satiated and may help ease your upset stomach too.

Yield: One fresh (3-pound) pumpkin makes about 2 cups of pumpkin puree, as much as one (15-ounce) can from the store. Storage: Store fresh purée in the refrigerator and use within 1 week.

Canned pumpkin (labeled as "100% pure pumpkin") is a purée of pumpkin that is sometimes mixed with other kinds of winter squash. It is unsweetened and does not contain any added spices. Canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree are the same thing, and you'll often see the terms used interchangeably in recipes and cookbooks.

Yes, as long as the canned pumpkin you buy is 100% pumpkin. Then, it's the same thing as pumpkin puree. Don't dare buy pumpkin pie filling and try to pass it off as pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin in recipes.

Butternut Squash and Sweet Potatoes

These ingredients, in these amounts, are interchangeable in most recipes to achieve the same texture and most similar flavor. For 1 cup canned pumpkin or pumpkin puree, substitute 1 cup cooked, mashed sweet potato or butternut squash.