Wednesday, October 01, 2008

All From One Little Pumpkin

Hop on over to Money Saving Mom to read my article on what all I did with one pie pumpkin! I'd love to hear your ideas on what you use pumpkins for too!

21 comments:

Edi said...

My kids were asking me just this week to buy a pie pumpkin for a recipe I'm going to make. I wasn't up to the hassle of cooking etc. in conjunction with getting ready for a trip, so I took the easy way and bought canned pumpkin - with a promise that I will buy a real pumpkin the next time.

When I do buy a pie pumpkin it's only a decoration for a short while (actually they don't keep long inside) - it's usually a little butchering I have in mind for it. I think I've done both - cooked the pumpkin in the microwave (like any other kind of squash - cut in half and scoop out the innards - place in a casserole dish with a little water - cover - and bake) and also just in a pot like potatoes.

I'll usually use the pumpkin for a pie or two and then freeze the unused portion for something another time. This week (albeit using the "fake" pumpkin) I'll be baking a pumpkin/gingerbread cake with caramel sauce and whipped cream. It is so delicious...

Anonymous said...

ah pumpkins! A true gift of the season :)! I love these ideas, the muffins sound great, and so do the seeds. I love the greeting for your guest-that was beautiful. All those wonderful ideas with one little pumpkin!!! Thanks so much for sharing with us and motivating me. tammyp
Edi-your recipe sounds mighty tastey!!!!

Wendi said...

I read that yesterday and thought it was wonderful!

I mainly use my pumpkin for decoration. I will sometimes roast the seeds, but that is about it.

With prices on the rise that is a great motivation to help your dollar stretch. Great ideas!

Anonymous said...

What lovely photos illustrating the life of your little pumpkin! :) I love the ways you used it and that you got such great value from it! Love you, Mom

Anonymous said...

Neat idea!

~katie~ said...

Your creativity really made the difference here...it makes me think twice about how much we could stretch other ordinary items that we wouldn't typically think of! Great motivator Monica ~ thanks!

Jenny said...

I enjoy making pumpkin bread, pumpkin waffles, pumpkin pancakes and pumpkin soup. Yum...

Zegi said...

I love a few tablespoons of cooked pumpkin mixed in with my morning oatmeal - add a splash of vanilla, some cinnamon, the pumpkin, a small handful of raisins and ta-da, a wonderful fall breakfast!

Amy said...

Great job, Monica! Great minds think alike again. I just did an article on stretching your pumpkin further. I never thought to use it in a scavenger hunt though. Thanks for always being so inspiring!!

Elise said...

What a fun post that was!! I love your acorn stamp too!!
Elise

Stacy said...

I love this post and have printed it to save for future Octobers!!! Can't wait to czech out your site.

Stacy
www.texasczech.blogspot.com

Renee said...

Hey Monica...
I have almost read your blog from cover to cover ...you are truly gifted with creativity! I have never been so entertained by a blog! Thank you so much for sharing! I cant wait to see what you will do next...lol

Anonymous said...

That was so amazing, Monica! I love lots of pumpkins around in the Fall. We enjoy them for decoration for a couple of months, and then in November, we start cutting them open and roasting the seeds - a once a year treat!

I love your recipes and look forward to trying them both. Thanks for sharing!

Blessings,
Nancy

Jennifer said...

Okay, you have inspired me to buy a couple of pumpkins. Thanks so much for the info!

Jennifer
http://jennifer-asag.blogspot.com/

Lee said...

what is the difference between a pie pumpkin and other pumpkins? How do you know what you're getting? Also is it possible to "can" the pumpkin afterwards?

Saver Queen said...

Please share with me how you turned your pumpkin into a vase! I have seen local stores selling bouquets in pumpkins lately and thought they looked adorable but I'd prefer to make it myself. How did you do it? Thanks!

BusyMom said...

Left a comment at MSM, but thought I would stop by and say thank you for this post. Not only was it a great way to stretch the value of the pumpking, but the recipes were awesome. We had the pumpkin muffins last night with dinner (a mini fall feast) and then tonight I made the seeds and can't stop eating them.

Monica Wilkinson said...

Fundraiser at Large:

Hi! Ok, to make your pumpkin into a vase - simply cut out a small area around the stem - as if you were going to carve the pumpkin. Scoop out all the seeds and pulp and set aside. Your pumpkin is now ready for to become a vase. I've done this two ways - just put water and flowers down inside (doesn't last as long) or put the flowers and water in a canning jar and set that down inside. You can keep it in the refrigerator overnight.

Hope that helps!
Monica

Monica Wilkinson said...

Lee:

The difference between a pie pumpkin and regular pumpkins are size, sweetness and stringiness. So, a pie pumpkin (also called a sugar pumpkin) is smaller, sweeter and less stringy.

Most times, the pumpkins will be labeled sugar or pie pumpkins. If they are not labeled this way - I would be inclined to think they are regular pumpkins.

It is not recommended that you can fresh pumpkin cooked at home. You can successfully freeze it - if you'd like to preserve it that way.

Have fun cooking your pumpkin! :)
Monica

Henley on the Horn said...

I would love to leave a link to your pumpkin post on my blog. Would that be okay?

Kerry said...

This doesn't link up to the article anymore