Jack o'Lanterns!

[digitS']

No, they won't be the soot-stained jack o'lanterns we had on either side of the front porch a week ago. Those are already dead and buried.

They weren't the largest pumpkins, altho' one was pretty good-sized. A match to that one was cut up on the deck, cleaned and over-filled the largest cookie sheet this afternoon! It just fit in the oven but overhung the cookie sheet. Those edges burned some :/.

I think I got the pieces cooked well enough and kind of dried out, which was necessary. However, I've just checked the recipe that I've used since I was a young teenager. I haven't told DW yet but it looks like that 1 pumpkin yields enuf for 15 pies!!!

I don't even know how I used the jack o'lantern pumpkin last year for the 1 pie. The mix was toooo thin and cooked down to about 1/2". Hopefully, this oven-baking dried out that pumpkin so that it won't be so watery and, hopefully also, it will taste okay.

We are used to the buttercup squash for pies - much smaller! No way am I gonna make 15 pies not knowing if they will taste okay. One thing, I'm reluctant to freeze the pies. I've tried that before and that wasn't so great either :/. If the pie we make tomorrow is okay, I guess I can try freezing the pumpkin pulp and baking the pies later. Sheesh! I must have another 6 pumpkins!

Steve :/

 

[journey11]

Yea for pie time!

I've frozen lots of pot pies, but haven't tried any other kind. I thought they were supposed to freeze well? What kind of problem are you having with yours? Maybe we can troubleshoot for you.

 

[digitS']

Tasted of freezer.

Crust was soggy.

Pumpkin (squash) pies must be my favorite - & I like pies! The filling is great and I always like to eat pie crust. I'll eat it uncooked but that's not best! Sometimes, the bottom crust isn't so great on any type of pie but I'm always hopeful .

Steve

 

[Jared77]

I agree YAY FOR PIE TIME!!!!

 

[catjac1975]

I have found that squash makes a sweeter pumpkin pie than pumpkin. Some pumpkin tastes better than others, the smaller ones being tastier. My best most pumpkin flavored come from my Rumbo squash.It just has a fuller richer flavor. I roast them, put them through the food processor and then strain them through coffee filters to get the excess moisture out. The filtering is a crucial step to a good pie. I freeze portions to make the pies later. I would not freeze a pie already made.

 

[digitS']

Cat' this is the 2nd or 3rd time that I've looked up Rumbo squash because you have mentioned it. I can get the seeds, and it kind of looks like a pumpkin, but I am still confused as to what kind of a Cucurbita it is! Seems like the various seed sources & commentators list it differently. And that's okay - I hasten to add! I'm not planning to save seeds from any of the squashes/pumpkins unless those mother plants are outside of my veggie gardens where they won't cross.

Strangely, I came across a new seed company in my search. I misspelled it as "Rumba" and that took me to some comment on the Uprising Seed Company website. Yeah, in WA State, of all places. Acme Washington - tiny town, over there by Bellingham. Didn't ring a bell but it is just a little north of Sedro-Woolley and I had a friend in Sedro-Woolley once, actually she was off in the Concrete direction . . . but, I digress . . .

Anywho . . . it is pulp enuf for 9 pies, I over-reacted. Yeah, there were a couple of lumps that didn't make it thru the food processor. We will make 2 pies, hope for the best, and freeze the other pulp. Baking seemed to dry it out well but I felt the need to nuke it in the microwave at 3 minutes an eighth right there at the last.

Next, we may turn our eyes to the other pumpkins in the garage .

Steve

 

[catjac1975]

Some catalogs call it an unusual pumpkin, some call it a squash. This is what mine look like. I think they have more flavor than pumpkin. They are delicious roasted as a veggie. and very prolific.
http://www.jungseed.com/dp.asp?pID=03662

 

[catjac1975]

This photo is from last year. I had over a hundred and donated a truckload to a food kitchen. I cut way back as they took over my garden and I only want a half dozen or so. They can be gigantic and are easy to grow, bugs don't seem to like them. And what a pie they make!

 

[digitS']

I like that idea of them being prolific & edible, Cat' !

Oh boy, these things are HOT! I don't think they will cool enuf for me to slice for lunch . . . .

Steve

 

[catjac1975]

Looks really good!!!!