First, preheat your oven to 180C or 350F. This is the ideal temperature to roast your pumpkin, ensuring it becomes tender without burning.
Next, prepare your pumpkin. Take the fresh pumpkin and carefully cut it into cubes. You can use a sharp knife for this—be cautious, as pumpkin skin can be tough. Aim for cubes about 1 to 2 inches for even cooking.
Now, line a baking tray with parchment paper. This step is vital as it prevents the pumpkin from sticking and makes for easier cleanup later.
Place the cubed pumpkin onto the prepared baking tray, spreading it out in a single layer. Overcrowding the pan can lead to steaming instead of roasting, which you want to avoid.
Slide the tray into your preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes. About halfway through, take a moment to flip the pumpkin cubes. This ensures they cook evenly and caramelize beautifully.
As the pumpkin bakes, keep an eye on it. You want it to be soft but not golden brown, indicating it’s perfectly cooked.
Once the pumpkin is tender, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely. Cooling is important as it will be easier to blend without splattering.
After the pumpkin has cooled, it’s time to puree! Use a stick mixer, food processor, or blender to blend the pumpkin until it’s perfectly smooth. If you're using a blender, you might need to work in batches.
Once you have a creamy consistency, your Homemade Pumpkin Puree is ready to use! You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge or freeze for later.
