Description
Packaging West Indian Pumpkin in advance, an essential food source to the Caribbean diet, for future pumpkin recipes.
Scale
Ingredients
1 whole pumpkin (13 pounds), cut into 8 equal pumpkin wedges.
Instructions
- Remove the seeds and strings from pumpkin wedges. Peel the pumpkin wedges.
- Cut the other 4 pumpkin wedges into halves.
- Place chunks of pumpkin into steamer basket over medium-low heat and steam pumpkin for approximately 30 minutes or until fork tender.
- Place steamed pumpkin in bowl and mash with a potato masher until a creamy texture is formed.
- Add the puréed pumpkin into 2-cup plastic containers and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Store in the freezer for future use.
- Cut 4 pumpkin wedges into 1 to 1½-inch chunks.
- Place chunks of pumpkin in snack bags (approximately 4 ounces each bag).
- Place snack bags in gallon bags and store in freezer for future use.
Notes
Now you can make delicious desserts (custards, pies, breads), stews, fritters, beans and soups with minimal preparation time because the pumpkin was prepared in advance.
Since our recipes call for both mashed and chunks of pumpkin, I prepare both method, using one pumpkin. However, you can use 1 whole pumpkin for either method of preparation.
- Category: Food Preparation Techniques
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Keywords: West Indian Pumpkin, Caribbean Pumpkin, Pumpkin Preparation, Cooked Fresh Pumpkin