Don't be afraid of pumpkin.

This year I was able to grow 3 small pumpkins in our back alley. I was excited to bake with them. One got smashed while it was still on the vine. I was so disappointed (don't even talk to me about the squash that grew through our fence to the alley side and got STOLEN). Luckily, Hugh and Calder picked out 4 pumpkins to carve that were tiny. I scoffed at the size and promptly started cooking them, convincing Calder a bigger jack-o-lantern was better!

I have never cooked pumpkin before, but my friend, Kerri inspired me to get on it. She had close to 40 little pumpkins in her garden! It was super easy and quick. I am not against canned pumpkin, but like anything homemade, the real deal just tastes better. So here it is. . .

Gut the pumpkin. I didn't bother trying to get my hand in through the top (although my tiny hands would easily fit. My brother and sister call my hands "Carney" hands. . . Like I could be in some side show at a circus they are so small). Note Boone's big feet in the background! Already helping me in the kitchen!

I then put the pumpkin in the microwave in a casserole dish with about a quarter cup of water in the bottom with  the lid on. I cooked mine on high for about 6 minutes. Lastly I pulled all the pumpkin out of the skin and pureed. Each pumpkin made 4 cups. I cooked muffins with 2 cups and put two in the freezer for later. The whole process including cooking time was 11 minutes and I used the 6 minutes microwave time to make the batter for my muffins.

Here is the recipe I used for the muffins. They are REALLY good. If you aren't a pumpkin fan, these would be good with any puree (mango is one that comes to mind right away).

Pumpkin Spice Muffins

2 cups pureed pumpkin 

2 cups white sugar (I use between 1 and 1.5, but this is what it calls for)

1/3 cup applesauce

1/3 cup oil

3 eggs

3 cups flour

2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1 cup raisins

Combine two lists separately and do not over stir when you put them together. Bake at 350. Makes 16 large (15 - 20 min) and 10 small (10 min). 

I hope you enjoy the picture. We only got to eat half of those. I set them on the table to take the picture and then rushed out of the house for a coffee date. When we came home our dog, Cleo, had eaten half of them. Ugh.

Happy Baking!