Wait! Don’t toss those winter squash and pumpkins into the compost (unless, of course, they are starting to rot). Make a golden yellow puree to have flavor and sunshine on a winter day. You will glad if you put them up for winter soup, stews, bread pudding, pies, cakes, scones, and more.

Okay, we’ve just celebrated Thanksgiving and we are moving on to the December holidays, so everyone is tired of those pumpkins and squash that we had decorating our homes, porches, and tables from October through November

	Remove peel after baking.
	Pureed, mashed, and cubed squash.
	Mashed squash.

As long as the curcurbits have not frozen and thawed, they are still good to eat so don’t throw them away! Our garden-harvested squash and pumpkins that we are storing for winter should be kept in a cool dark place; I have a cold room in my basement where I keep onions, garlic, potatoes, squash, apples, canned goods, etc.

The huge squash and handsome pumpkins that I have been using for display are about to become puree. The blue hubbard–which weighs about 10 pounds–is my next project. Since these big squash and pumpkins are so hard to peel, I usually cook them with their skins on and then scrape the flesh from the skins.

To prepare, I will cut the squash in half or quarters and remove the seeds and stringy seed cavity. Then I will cut it into more manageable pieces and place it on a large baking pan with some water, or it could be steamed or boiled until tender.  Once cool enough to handle, I will remove the flesh from the skins and puree it in my food processor with a little of the cooking liquid. Save the cooking liquid, whether boiled or baked, and use it as a soup stock.

I freeze the puree (you could leave some in chunks for a different texture in soups or stews) in 1-cup and 2-cup quantities in heavy-duty freezer zip-close bags. One cup is about the amount used in pumpkin or squash bread, muffins, scones, or cookies; two cups is used to make a pie; and four cups is used for a soup. When ready to use, just let the bag sit on the counter and thaw. Or empty the contents from the bag into a microwavable dish and place it in the microwave or a soup pot and heat gently until it has thawed. If there is a lot of excess liquid, you can just drain it off (unless you’re using it in soup).

I like using the chunks in soup and stews, and especially in black beans. I also roll them up in enchiladas with cheese and onions and smother them in green chile sauce. I love a pumpkin scone or muffin–with nuts and dried cranberries–and the puree is good in Indian pudding, bread pudding, waffles, and pancakes.

Try this easy recipe for Golden Loaf Cake; make a few of them to have in the freezer as easy holiday gifts.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.

Buy at Amazon

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Buy at Amazon

The New Organic Grower, 3rd Edition: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener, 30th Anniversary Edition

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Since its original publication in 1989, The New Organic Grower has been one of the most important farming books available, with pioneer Eliot Coleman leading the charge in the organic movement in the United States. Now fully illustrated and updated, this 30th Anniversary Edition is a must-have for any agricultural library.

Buy at Amazon