Best Edible Pumpkins for Baking and More
There are so many varieties of pumpkins out there with some being better for baking and some being better for carving but the great thing is that they are all edible!
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Whether you are picking out a pumpkin at the pumpkin patch, in the store, or harvesting it out of your own garden, there are so many things you can do with them!
But in this article let’s talk about some of the best pumpkins to cook with!
Are All Pumpkins Edible?
Yes every part of the pumpkin is edible, including the plant leaves!
You can eat the plant leaves, the pumpkin blossoms, the entire pumpkin itself, and the pumpkin seeds.
But just because every pumpkin is edible doesn’t mean they will all equally taste good.
There are some pumpkin varieties that are best for carving, some that are best for decorating, and others that taste best for eating.
But it is comforting to know that none of them will make you sick. So don’t worry about experimenting with different types of pumpkins if you have a few different ones you want to try cooking with!
Best Pumpkins for Eating
Some of the best tasting pumpkins for eating are going to be those labeled as “sugar” or “pie” pumpkins.
They tend to be smaller, sweet pumpkins, and are less fibrous which makes them such a great choice to cook with.
Although, there are many larger pumpkin varieties that are great tasting such as cinderella pumpkins, fairytale pumpkins, and jarrahdale pumpkins.
The pumpkins used for Jack O’ Lanterns are still okay to eat but they are very bland. If you save the seeds they are great for roasting though!
A few other great tasting pumpkins include:
- Autumn Gold
- Baby Pam
- Early Sweet Sugar Pie
Best Pumpkins for Pie
The best pumpkin varieties for pie have sweeter, string-less, and denser flesh.
A couple great choices are:
- Winter Luxury
- New England Pie
One of the all time favorite varieties for pie is the Dickinson pumpkin which is the choice for Libby’s canned pumpkin puree.
Best Pumpkins for Soup
The best varieties for soup are going to be those that are harder pumpkins. Softer pumpkins tend to be too watery so they are less suited for soup.
A few tips for making soup with pumpkins is to:
- Use stock instead of water
- Roast the pumpkin prior
- Add in lots of other vegetables and fruits for great flavor
The Difference Between Winter Squash and Pumpkins
As you’re picking out the perfect pumpkin to cook with, whether it be for a side dish, soup, or something sweet such as pumpkin bread, you may be wondering what the difference is between the recipes that call for a squash and a pumpkin.
The simple answer is that there is no difference at all!
A pumpkin is simply a cultivar of winter squash which means they can be harvested, cured, and stored to last.
So as you’re looking for great recipes to try out, look up recipes using other winter squash varieties too! Such as butternut squash and acorn squash.
And now that you know every pumpkin is an edible pumpkin, I’d love to hear about which kind ends up being your favorite!
Let me know in the comments below which types you cook with and what ends up being your top choice!
Want more pumpkin related posts? Be sure to check out How to Save Pumpkin Seeds for Growing and Different Types of Pumpkins and Their Uses
You can even learn here how make succulent topped pumpkins for a fun fall decoration!
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