Pumpkin Bread

Now that Halloween is over fall is really going to start moving.  I went into Wal-Mart today and they already had a Christmas tree up!!!  I wanted to share the Pumpkin Bread recipe I used the other day.  I actually used a recipe on line so click HERE for the link.

The recipe is for 36 people I believe, but it gives you a little spot to type in the number of people to serve and it changes the recipe for you.  I used my pumpkin I cooked the other day, and it was yummy!!  Please excuse the fact that they have no bottoms, I am in need of new bread pans.

Educational Pumpkins

As we were cutting pumpkins tonight, I came up with a great idea for carving!

I cut the top like you do to get all the goopies out, scooped out all the goopies, and then cutting around the pumpkin I cut layers, so that it would turn into a puzzle for Princess Lolly.  I took my potato peeler and peeled the skin off of every other layer.  I think this is such a great idea for this age group, because they love to play with the pumpkins.  You could also cut shapes out around the pumpkin and then use the shapes that you cut out to use as a matching-push through-game! Have fun carving!

How to cook a pumpkin

I love the taste and smell of fresh pumpkin.  Most of us use the stuff in the can, but here is instructions on how to get the "real" pumpkin taste in your recipes.

First you'll need to buy pie pumpkins.  They are the littler ones, and should be labeled as such at the store.  When you get home pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Then cut them in half, I was able to bend the stem off after cutting them, this makes it easier to fit them all on the pan.  After cutting them in half scrape out the seeds and goo.  Lay them face down on a pan.  I used my biggest cookie sheet.  Put the cookie sheet in the oven and add water to the bottom of the pan.  I put in about 4-5 cups of water. (Just put in enough to cover the bottom, but not coming over the sides.   

Cook for about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the pumpkins.  I usually feel the pumpkins.  When the are soft and squishy to the touch the are done.

Pull them out of the oven and turn over to let them cool down.  When the are cool enough to touch peel off the skin and put the pumpkin into a blender.

Blend it up nice and smooth.  I divided mine out into little Tupperware, and freeze mine. My two pumpkins I bought made 8 cups of pumpkin.  So each pumpkin makes about 4 cups, if you buy the size I did.   I used real pumpkin in my pumpkin pies last year and they tasted great!  You can also use this in pancakes, Cinnamon rolls, and I am going to make some pumpkin bread in a few days. . .enjoy!