For those of you like me that like to occasionally make things from scratch, here is a puree for your homemade pies. It is simple and has a better flavor than you will find in any can. Look for smaller pumpkins because they tend to be a bit sweeter. This recipe makes about 2 cups.

Ready

• 2 ½ lbs pumpkin (sugar pumpkin preferred)
• ¼ cup water

Set

• Roasting pan
• Measuring cup
• Aluminum foil
• Spoon

Go

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cut pumpkin into eighths. Scrape seeds from flesh (save for making roasted seeds).
3. Place pumpkin slices in roasting pan. Add water and cover with foil.
4. Place in oven and bake for about 1 hour 15 minutes or until pumpkin is soft.
5. Puree in food processor
6. Extra can be frozen.

What you should know

Waste not. I like to roast my pumpkin seeds for a tasty style of recycling. Try this Pepitas (Roasted Pumpkin Seeds) recipe!