Eat Local in Every Season: Pumpkin
Though summer and it’s abundance of produce is at an end I’ve decided, between my garden and our local producers, to attempt to continue using local vegetables as a mainstay of our diet throughout the fall and winter. This is new to me and so I’m documenting the foods and recipes I try in hopes that you’ll join me in attempting to eat local and seasonal produce year-round!
Selecting a Pumpkin
I had actually wanted to write this post a couple of weeks ago but my pumpkin had gone bad. It turned in a much shorter time period than I thought possible, so going forward all my pumpkins and other squash will be stored in a cool, dry place!
Also news to me: there are preferred varieties of pumpkin to cook with. I’m using a sugar pie pumpkin for the recipes listed below. I tried to cook down an extra Halloween pumpkin one year (not carved as they are no longer safe to eat once carved and left out, just an extra one!) and found it tasteless so am hoping that this variety is better.
Where to Start?
It’s a bit daunting to look at a fairly large squash and contemplate what to do to create something edible, at least it is for me! A friend had mentioned that she cooked a small sugar pie pumpkin in her slow cooker and I found instructions for that here.
I didn’t have time to leave my pumpkin in the slow cooker for the day so I went with an oven method like this one and my pumpkin turned out great!
Scooping out the seeds 
Ready to roast
Pumpkin Oatmeal
I regularly make steel cut oats overnight in my slow cooker and so tried this recipe for a pumpkin version and it was so good!
Ready to go in the slow cooker 
Topped with pecans and cranberries!
Pumpkin Soup
I also make at least one batch of soup each week with whatever is in my fridge or freezer. This week is pumpkin, of course! I went through a few recipes to get an idea of what kind of seasoning works with pumpkin and ended up just throwing some ingredients into the pot as I didn’t have a lot of time to chop or measure. Here’s my lazy soup recipe that (mostly?) works out every time:
1. Saute onions and garlic in oil
2. Add about 2 cups of veggies (in this case mashed pumpkin)
3. Cover in water and add stock cube (I use vegetable stock)
4. Add some seasonings (depending on the soup I’ll add parsley, bay leaves, thyme or rosemary from the garden)
5. Blend with a hand blender and correct seasoning
For this soup I added coconut milk, garam masala, cinnamon, salt, cayenne pepper and some maple syrup until I was happy with the flavour. I think it turned out really well, and would be delicious with side salad or fresh whole grain bread!
Frying badly chopped onion and garlic 
Pumpkin added 
Stirring in spices, so pretty!
Pumpkin Muffins
A couple of months back Alison and I shared our favourite ways to use overripe bananas here. I included my favourite recipe for banana muffins, however the original recipe is actually a pumpkin-based recipe, so have a look at our post and try it out!
Other Pumpkin Recipes I Plan to Try
What’s your favourite way to cook with pumpkin?
12 Comments
untilanotherday
I have never actually tried pumpkin before but this time of year the blogging community is filled with delicious look receipes. I will definitely have to try it!
A Sustainably Simple Life
It’s amazing how versatile pumpkin can be! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Sue Berk Koch
The only thing I’ve done with pumpkins is scoop out and bake the seeds. (Okay, and for pies!) I’ll need to try substituting pumpkin in a few recipes. Thanks for the ideas.
A Sustainably Simple Life
It’s amazing how many options there really is for pumpkin. Nothing wrong with roasted seeds and a slice of pie! 🙂
Brooke Ressell
I eat foods in season a lot of the time, but I realized I have never made anything with pumpkin at home. I bake a lot of other squashes and root vegetables this time of year so I don’t know why I never think about pumpkin. Looks easy and delicious.
A Sustainably Simple Life
That’s great you focus on eating in season too. We were surprised at how far we stretched one pumpkin! It’s definitely worth giving pumpkin a try 🙂
Anika May
I absolutely love anything pumpkin-flavoured, so the more the better! I definitely want to try pumpkin muffins, they sound great 🙂
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
A Sustainably Simple Life
Pumpkin flavoured anything is such a cozy fall vibe 🙂
Baby Boomer Super Saver
Pumpkin is a rich source of nutrients and fiber, so I enjoyed adding pureed pumpkin to many recipes, like muffins and cookies. Cooked chunks of pumpkin, black beans, chilis and cheese tacos are also delicious!
A Sustainably Simple Life
This all sounds so good!
CristinaR
I used to totally despise any type of pumpkins until last year when I found I actually really enjoy them! I really have to try that pumpkin oatmeal and even more as it’s a slow cooker recipe! x
A Sustainably Simple Life
Isn’t is funny how our tastes can change so drastically like that?!
Slow cooker recipes are the best 🙂