Pumpkin puree is a versatile and essential ingredient in many autumn dishes, from pies to soups. But what do you do if you don’t have access to an oven or are short on time? Making pumpkin puree without an oven is a quick and easy alternative.
Homemade pumpkin puree is simple and inexpensive but tastes better than store-bought.
In this article, we’ll show you step-by-step how to make pumpkin puree without an oven. You will see how simple it is to make creamy, smooth pumpkin puree at home, even without an oven!
So, get ready to make some delicious pumpkin puree without the hassle of heating your kitchen with the oven!
You May Also Like: Where To Find Chimichurri Sauce In Grocery Stores [Our Top 4 Recommendations]
How To Make Pumpkin Puree Without Oven
Several methods for making pumpkin puree without using an oven are listed below. You will have delicious, fresh, homemade pumpkin puree anyway!
1. Using an Instant Pot to make Pumpkin Puree
You can make pumpkin puree in a pressure cooker like Instant Pot. Using an Instant pot is less watery, and little cutting is needed.
Here is how to do it:
Clean the pumpkin: thoroughly wash your pumpkin. Before cutting, pat it dry with a towel.
Take out the seeds: Cut a circle around the stem using a sharp knife. Remove the stem and scrape out the guts and seeds with a spoon.
Fill your instant pot with 1 cup (230ml) of water.
Place the pumpkin in the pot cut-side up on a wire rack (with the opening facing up). If your pumpkin is too big, cut it in half.
Cook for 15 minutes on high pressure with the lid on (use the pressure cook setting). Ensure to close the pressure valve.
Instant Pot Recommendation
2. Using an Air Fryer to make a Pumpkin Puree
An air fryer works similarly to a convection oven but is easier to use and does not require preheating.
If your pumpkin is small enough, you can cook it whole in the air fryer. If you only have a large pumpkin.
Air fryer pumpkin has a flavor similar to roasted pumpkin, making it ideal for savory dishes.
It is not necessary to peel the pumpkin before cooking. After cooking, remove the seeds.
Place a small pumpkin (around 2-3lb) in the air fryer basket and cut off the pumpkin stem if it is too tall.
If your pumpkin is bigger, cut it into even-sized pieces before placing it in the air fryer basket.
Air fry the pumpkin for about 15 minutes at 400°F/200°C, flip it over and cook for another 15-18 minutes or until tender.
Insert a knife into the pumpkin to see if it is soft. It should slide right through.
Cook it for a little longer if it still feels firm. A 2lb/1kg pumpkin requires approximately 30 minutes total cooking time at 400°F/200°C. Smaller pieces will take less time to complete.
Allow the pumpkin to cool to room temperature after it’s cooked. Cut the pumpkin in half and scoop the seeds with a spoon when the pumpkin has cooled.
Remove the stringy pumpkin insides.
Remove the peels with a knife or scoop the pumpkin flesh away from the peels with a spoon. Blend until smooth in a blender.
If you do not remove enough of the outer skin layer, the air fryer crisps the skin and outer layer of the pumpkin, and this flavor can transfer to the puree.
Air Fryer Recommendation
3. Using a stovetop to make Pumpkin Puree
On the stovetop, you can also make pumpkin puree. You will only need a small saucepan (with a lid) and some water.
Clean the pumpkin. Like the instant pot method, we would want to clean our pumpkin before using it!
Take out the seeds: This time, cut your pumpkin in half (we will not need the whole pumpkin). Remove the guts and seeds.
Cook/steam: Slice the pumpkin into thin slices. Removing the skin is unnecessary; we will do so after steaming it. In a large saucepan, add 12 cups of water.
Add a steamer basket to your saucepan if you have one. Place the pumpkin slices in the saucepan and cook for 20-25 minutes, covered.
Check every few minutes to see if you need to add a splash of water here and there.
Puree the pumpkin: When the pumpkin is cool enough to handle, scrape the flesh away from the skin and blend until smooth in a food processor or hand blender.
Drain the puree. At that point, the puree may still be a little watery. Make sure to drain it to achieve the desired consistency!
Over a large bowl, place a large sieve lined with cheesecloth. Pour in the pumpkin puree and set aside for at least 1 hour to drain or overnight.
You May Also Like: Where To Buy Duck Breast Near Me [Our Top 6 Recommendations]
4. Using a Microwave to make Pumpkin Puree
Cut a circle from the top of the pumpkin and scoop the seeds with a spoon. Cut the pumpkin in half and then into four pieces.
Place the pumpkin pieces in a microwave-safe dish with a small amount of water.
Microwave for 6-9 minutes or until the pumpkin is soft and covered with another plate or lid.
Allow the pumpkin to cool until it reaches room temperature. Once the peels are off, scoop the pumpkin flesh away from the pumpkin’s skin with a spoon and scrape out the stringy inners of the pumpkin.
Microwave Recommendation
How To Make Perfect Pumpkin Puree
1. Use a high-quality pumpkin
Check to see if the pumpkin sounds hollow when tapped! You will want to go with a smooth one.
2. Use a miniature pumpkin
Smaller pumpkins like Hokkaido (Red Kuri) or sugar pumpkins are less watery and more flavorful.
3. Avoid using too much water
Ensure not to use too much water, especially when using the stovetop method.
Instead, steam the pumpkin and then boil it to bring out its delicious pumpkin flavor!
4. Drain the excess water
Excess water should be fine when using the instant pot method.
The texture may be slightly more watery when steaming the pumpkin on the stovetop.
Allowing the water to drain from the pumpkin puree is critical for achieving the desired consistency!
What Can You Do With Pumpkin Puree?
You can use homemade pumpkin puree instead of canned pumpkin in various dishes;
- Soups: Homemade pumpkin puree is delicious in soups like this Vegan Curried Pumpkin Soup.
- Pasta: Make my Vegan Mac and Cheese (no cashews) to taste how delicious pumpkin and pasta can be together.
- Baking: You can use pumpkin puree in cakes and bread.
- Drinks: This homemade pumpkin puree would be fantastic in my Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Stir it into your favorite oatmeal, or try my Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal.
Related Questions
How should pumpkin puree be stored?
Refrigerate your homemade puree in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Is it possible to freeze homemade pumpkin puree?
Yes, you can freeze it in an airtight container or zip bag for later use. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or on the kitchen counter.
Why should I bother making my pumpkin puree?
Homemade pumpkin puree from a fresh pumpkin tastes even better than canned pumpkin! The color of your puree will vary depending on the pumpkin you use!
Is it necessary to peel the skin when making pumpkin puree?
You do not need to peel the pumpkin skin before cooking it. Once the pumpkin is cooked and cool, scoop out the flesh with a spoon.
How long will pumpkin puree keep?
It will keep in the fridge for about a week if properly stored. You can store it in the freezer for up to 4 months.
Can it be made in an instant pot or slow cooker?
You certainly can. Every appliance is slightly different, but the pumpkin will cook for 15-20 minutes under high pressure. Make sure to cut it into appropriate sizes for the pot.
Can I Cook the whole pumpkin?
Yes, you can boil the entire pumpkin. All you need is a huge pot. It will also take much longer to cook than smaller pieces.
Before making a puree, make sure to remove the seeds and strings.
What are the best pumpkins for making pumpkin puree?
The type of pumpkin used in puree significantly impacts texture and flavor.
You can make puree from various pumpkins or hard winter squashes; the best varieties have smooth and sweet flesh when cooked.
Here are some excellent varieties for making your homemade pumpkin puree:
- Jarrahdale
- Cinderella
- Autumn Gold
- Golden Nugget
- Queensland Blue
- New England Pie Pumpkin
- Cinderella
- Sugarpie
- Crown
- Musque de Provence
- Kabocha squash
- Acorn squash
- Butternut squash
You May Also Like: Where Is Baking Soda In Grocery Store? Answered
Wrapping Up
Making pumpkin puree without an oven is a simple and convenient process that can be done using a few essential kitchen tools.
Using a microwave or stove-top method, you can quickly turn a fresh pumpkin into a smooth and creamy puree used in various recipes, such as pies, soups, and desserts.
Additionally, making pumpkin puree at home is a great way to avoid processed foods and ensure you get a high-quality, nutritious ingredient for your dishes.
So whether you want to cook up some fall-inspired recipes or add some healthy pumpkin to your diet, making pumpkin puree without an oven is an excellent skill in your culinary arsenal.
RELATED POST
Where Is Baking Soda In Walmart: The 3 Best Places to Search
Where To Find Breadcrumbs In Grocery Store? Answered
The 7 Best Food Delivery App That Takes Cash [Our Top Picks]
What are the Types of Molasses? [4 Great Substitutes]
Does Doordash Deliver Groceries? Find Out
