It can be easy to go overboard on pumpkin while it’s in season, so learn how to preserve it for future enjoyment. Can you freeze pumpkin? Let’s take a look.
If you can’t get enough pumpkin while it’s in season, and are always sad when they disappear from farmers’ market stalls and grocery store shelves, this article is for you. We’re going to take a look at the different ways you can freeze pumpkin so that you can enjoy it throughout the winter months.
Can You Freeze Pumpkin Pie?
The great news is that you can freeze pumpkin pie. If you find yourself with leftovers after the holidays or want to bake them ahead of time to reduce the amount of work you have to do the day of, freezing pumpkin pie is the way to go.
If you know before you bake that your plan is to freeze it, it makes sense to bake your pie in an aluminum pie dish. This enables the pie to freeze through faster and saves your beloved glass pie plates from potential damage in the freezer. Here’s how to freeze pumpkin pie:
- Allow the pie to cool completely on a baking rack. This may take several hours.
- Wrap your pie tightly in tin foil before placing it in a reusable freezer bag.
- You can freeze pumpkin pie for up to 1 month using this method.
You’ll need to take the pumpkin pie out of the freezer and allow it to thaw for approximately 12 hours in the fridge before you’re ready to serve it.
Freezing Pumpkin Purée or Canned Pumpkin
Freezing puréed or canned pumpkin is one of the simplest and best methods of pumpkin preservation because of its versatile uses. It doesn’t matter if you’re using homemade pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin, you can use the following steps:
- Portion the pumpkin out into freezer-safe containers. It makes sense to freeze pumpkin purée in the amounts required for your favorite recipes.
- Write the date and amount on the outside of the container.
- You can freeze pumpkin this way for up to one year, though the quality is best if used within 6 months.
Can You Freeze Pumpkin Raw?
Did you know you can eat pumpkin raw? You can also freeze raw pumpkin and use it in dishes like casseroles and bakes. Here’s how to do it:
- Cut the pumpkin in half and scoop out the guts and seeds. Set the seeds aside for roasting pumpkin seeds in the oven later.
- Once the pumpkin is clean, cut it into bite-sized cubes.
- Spread the pieces of pumpkin on a cookie sheet or baking tray and flash freeze until mostly frozen.
- Add the frozen pieces of pumpkin to a freezer-safe container labeled with the date.
- You can freeze pumpkin for up to 3 months this way.
If you’d prefer to cook your pumpkin before freezing it, you can follow the same method above after you’ve cooked it. It will also last for up to three months. Once thawed, the cooked pumpkin can be added to soups or salads.
Read more:
- How to Eat Pumpkin Seeds, Shells and All
- Pumpkin Gnocchi With Sage Butter Sauce: All-Natural Recipe
- 30 Best Soup Recipes for Sustainable Fall & Winter Meals
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