Making the Best Out of Seasonal Texas Pumpkins, The Guide

Seasonal EatingSeptember
Written By Timothy Te

Discover > Texas Home Cooking > Making the Best Out of Seasonal Texas Pumpkins, The Guide

Pumpkins are in season during the fall months in Texas. This is the time of year to enjoy this delicious and versatile food. There are many different ways to enjoy pumpkins, from carving them into Jack-O-Lanterns to making pumpkin soup or pumpkin pie. Pumpkins are a great way to celebrate the fall season. And did we mention that they're super tasty?

There are many different types of pumpkins that can be enjoyed during the fall season. Some of the most popular varieties include the Sugar pumpkin, the Jack-O-Lantern pumpkin, and the Cinderella pumpkin. The Sugar pumpkin is a small, round pumpkin that is perfect for baking. The Jack-O-Lantern pumpkin is a large, orange pumpkin that is ideal for carving into Halloween decorations. The Cinderella pumpkin is a large, white pumpkin that is perfect for making pumpkin pies.

Pumpkins Versus Squash 

Pumpkins and squash are both members of the Cucurbita family. However, there are some key differences between pumpkins and squash. Pumpkins are larger than squash, and they have smooth skin. Squash have rougher skin, and they are smaller than pumpkins. Pumpkins are also more popular than squash, and they are typically more expensive.

Overall, pumpkins and squash are both delicious and versatile foods that can be enjoyed during the fall season. They are both great for cooking up in different recipes. So which one should you choose? It really depends on what you’re in the mood for!

When carving a pumpkin, it is important to choose the right type of pumpkin. The most common type of carving pumpkin is the large, orange pumpkin. These pumpkins are typically round and have thick walls. They are also relatively easy to carve.

Pumpkin Nutrition

Pumpkins are a nutritional powerhouse. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are also a good source of dietary fiber. Pumpkins are low in calories and they are a healthy snack choice.

Pumpkins can be enjoyed in many different ways. They can be baked, roasted, or cooked into soup. They can also be blended into smoothies or used in baking recipes. Pumpkins are a versatile food that can be enjoyed all year round.

Are there Pumpkins in Pumpin Spice? 

Pumpkin spice lattes are a popular fall drink. They are made with espresso, milk, and pumpkin spice. The pumpkin spice is made with cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg (how long does nutmeg last?). Pumpkin spice lattes are a delicious and festive drink that can be enjoyed during the fall season.

If there's no pumpkin in pumpkin spice, then why is it called that? Well, the real reason is that spices like cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg (among other prices used in pumpkin spice) are all spices that are typically used when baking with pumpkin! Make sense now? 

Although some coffeeshops have started adding pumpkin syrup to their pumpkin spice like Starbucks when they capitulated to public pressure in 2015, it's not really that a big of a deal! Food scientist Kantha Shelke sums it up nicely: “The amount of pumpkin puree added does very little other than appease those who wanted to find real pumpkin on the list of ingredients.” See the original fact sheet here.

The pumpkin syrup barely changes the nutritional information and taste of the drink as the pumpkins used to make these syrups are the blandest ones they can find! If you take a look at these pumpkin syrups, it's basically condensed milk, sugar, and annato (a natural coloring designed to give it that pumpkin color). 

What Makes Pumpkin spice Lattes Taste So Good? 

We've established that it's not the pumpkin, so what could it be? The spices only give it that wonderful aroma and they're not really that tasty. The secret to why PSLs taste so good is the sugar! On average, a pumpkin spice latte contains around 50 grams of sugar (that's almost 4 tablespoons!) For comparison, the average slice of pumpkin pie has about 28 grams of sugar (about 2 tablespoons)

Sugar, along with seasonal nostaligia is what makes pumpkin spice lattes feel so good, seasonality. 

How to Choose the Best Pumpkins 

When choosing pumpkins, it is important to select the right type. The most common type of pumpkin for carving is the large, orange pumpkin. These pumpkins are typically round and have thick walls. They are also relatively easy to carve.

If you are looking for a pumpkin to cook with, there are many different types to choose from. Smaller pumpkins, such as the sugar pumpkin, are great for baking or making soup. If you want to make a smoothie, you can use a larger pumpkin, such as the butternut squash (how long does butternut squash last?). Pumpkins can be enjoyed in many different ways and they are a versatile food that can be enjoyed all year round.

If you are not going to use your pumpkins right away, it is important to store them properly. Pumpkins should be stored in a cool, dry place. They should not be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Pumpkins will keep for several weeks if they are stored properly.

Cooking with Pumpkins

Cooking with pumpkins is a great way to enjoy this fall favorite food. Its mild flavor makes it really versatile and perfect for fall dishes. 

Roasted Pumpkin soup recipe

Pumpkin soup is a popular dish that can be made with fresh or canned pumpkin (how long does canned pumpkin last?), although we suggest skipping the canned ones and go straight for fresh pumpkins especially now that they're in season. 

Roasted Pumpkin Soup Ingredients

  • 1.2 kg / 2.4 lb pumpkin (any type) (unpeeled weight)

  • 1 onion, sliced (any type)

  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled whole

  • 3 cups (750ml) vegetable or chicken broth (how long does chicken broth last?)/stock 

  • 1 cup (250 ml) water

  • Salt and pepper to taste 

  • 1/2 cup cream

Roasted Pumpkin Soup Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Cut pumpkin into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes. Spread cubes on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes, or until tender.

2. In a large saucepan, heat onion and garlic over medium heat until softened. Add roasted pumpkin cubes, broth, water and salt and pepper to taste. Bring soup to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Purée soup in a blender or food processor until smooth. Return soup to the saucepan and stir in cream. Heat through before serving.

Pumpkin Lasagna Recipe

Another seasonal favorite is pumpkin lasagna made with fresh and seasonal pumpkins! This may be a little bit complicated to make, but trust us, the effort is well and truly worth it. 

Pumpkin Lasagna Ingredients: 

  • 1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed

  • 1 large onion, diced

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

  • 15 lasagna noodles

  • 2 cups prepared marinara sauce (how long does marinara sauce last?)

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Pumpkin Lasagna Instructions: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 

In a large bowl, toss the butternut squash, onion, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the mixture in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Meanwhile, cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. 

Spread 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce in the bottom of an 11x13 inch baking dish. Arrange 5 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread 1/3 of the butternut squash mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese and 1 tablespoon of the parsley. Repeat the layers two more times. Top with remaining marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese. Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Pumpkin bread is a delicious and easy-to-make bread that's not only seasonal, but it's quite a nutritional powerhouse as well! Plus, it's a good way to get the kids to eat their veggies. 

Pumpkin Bread Ingredients: 

Pumpkin Bread Instructions:  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, oil, eggs, and sugar. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Stir in the raisins or nuts if desired. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Pumpkin Pancake recipe:

Pumpkin pancakes are a delicious breakfast food that can be made with fresh pumpkin and it's a tasty and healthy way to start your day! 

Pumpkin Pancake Recipe Ingredients: 

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour 

  • 1 tablespoon baking powder 

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt 

  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 

  • 1 cup milk 

  • 1/4 cup pumpkin puree 

  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted 

  • 1 egg 

Pumpkin Pancake Recipe Instructions: 

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. In another bowl, whisk together the milk, pumpkin puree, butter, and egg. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Heat a griddle or frying pan over medium heat and coat with cooking spray. Scoop 1/4 cup of batter onto the griddle. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.

Carving Pumpkins

Now that you know how to make the most of pumpkin season, it's time to learn how to carve them! Pumpkins make a great decoration for Halloween, and they're not as difficult to carve as you may think.

To carve a pumpkin, start by cutting off the top of the pumpkin so that you have a flat surface to work with. Then, use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out the seeds and fibers from the inside of the pumpkin. Once the seeds are removed, you can start carving your design. Make sure to cut away from yourself and be careful not to cut yourself on the knife.

If you're not sure what design to carve, there are plenty of ideas online. You can find simple designs like a cat or a spider, or more complicated designs like a haunted house or a witch. Once you've finished carving your pumpkin, use a candle or LED light to light it up from within. Enjoy your spooky pumpkin decorations!

Everything that you need know about butternut squash, click here!

Timothy Te
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