It is quick and easy to pressure cook pumpkin with an electric pressure cooker like the Instant Pot. Pumpkin that has been pressure cooked is soft and creamy and ready to be made into pumpkin puree for many pumpkin recipes.
If you want to make pumpkin puree, the first step is to learn how to pressure cook pumpkin. There are many reasons to cook your own pumpkin, rather than getting pumpkin puree from a can. Nothing tastes better than fresh pumpkin, you made yourself.
There are a variety of ways to cook pumpkin. Some people roast pumpkin or bake pumpkin, but I prefer the ease of using a pressure cooker. It takes less time and it results in smooth creamy pumpkin puree.
Before you pressure cook the pumpkin, prepare the pumpkin by scrubbing it, cutting it, and removing the pumpkin seeds and fibrous strings.
How to Pressure Cook Pumpkin in an Electric Pressure Cooker
If I am going to puree pumpkin, my preferred method to cooking a pumpkin is to use an electric pressure cooker. I use the Instant Pot to do the job. Its quick, easy and hands-free.
After your pumpkin is scrubbed, cut, and the seeds are removed, you are ready to pull out the pressure cooker. Save yourself a headache and use a steamer rack trivet, preferably one that has handles.
Otherwise, the pumpkin will be a big hot mess to get out. And that is not just an expression. The pumpkin will be steamy (it can burn you) and will fall apart when you try to pull it out with a serving spoon or spatula.
- Add ½ to 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pan. Place the pumpkin on the trivet. Lower the trivet into the pan.
- Place the lid securely on the pressure cooker and select “High Pressure”. Turn the pressure cooker on and process for 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of your pumpkin.
- Press start and walk away. Your Instant Pot will do the rest of the work. It takes approximately 10 minutes for the pressure cooker to come to pressure. When it has reached full pressure the minutes will begin to count down.
- When it has finished cooking, let it the pressure come down naturally for very smooth flesh. However, if you are in a hurry, you can release the pressure manually.
How to Use Pumpkin Puree
After pressure cooking the pumpkin, you are ready to use the creamy pumpkin meat.
- Allow the pumpkin to cool for 10 to 15 minutes. The pumpkin should be cool enough to handle.
- Use a spoon and scrape the pumpkin flesh from the skin. When the pumpkin is still warm, the cooked flesh should come off the skin easily.
- Make pumpkin puree or use the cooked pumpkin in any pumpkin recipe. Try Pumpkin Soup with fresh puree.
There are many ways to cook pumpkin, but cooking it with a pressure cooker is the quickest and easiest way to get creamy pumpkin flesh. Try a pressure cooker today and see if it becomes your new favorite way to cook pumpkin.
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