Pumpkins can be used for cooking and also for carving jack-o-lanterns around Halloween time. Since the shell can be quite tough, we will show you here how to peel a pumpkin easily for cooking, in just 4 quick steps — 1. Slice in half and Clean, 2. Cook, 3. Let Cool, 4. PEEL.
To make peeling the shell easier and quicker, it is best to cook it first! Yes, that’s right!!!!!! Cooking it — either in the microwave or oven– will make the outer skin soft enough to peel with just your fingers.
Try out our method and simplify your life! After all, who could ever imagine that peeling a member of the squash family could be so simple, no matter what size it is…
As if that weren’t enough, you can also use cooked pumpkin to prepare your favorite dishes and treats. If you would like some additional suggestions, here are a few to add some variety to your table:
PUMPKIN BRIGADEIROS (Great for Halloween)
CHICKEN STEW IN A PUMPKIN SHELL (Use Thanksgiving turkey or other leftovers)
PUMPKIN PIE WITH GOOEY PECAN-CHOCOLATE TOPPING (Two pies in one)
CHOCOLATE-PUMPKIN-PECAN BREAD PUDDING (Not your average bread pudding)
…and coming soon, our very own CREAMY PUMPKIN SOUP!!!
xx
How to Peel a Pumpkin Easily
Ingredients
- 1 medium pumpkin
Instructions
- SLICE pumpkin in half AND CLEAN it, removing all the seeds and fibrous strings using a large metal spoon or ice cream scoop.
- COOK it! This is the best way to make all the peeling go much easier and quicker. If cooking in a MICROWAVE, place pumpkin half cut-side-down on a microwave-safe dish with a bit of water in it. Microwave one of the halves until the skin can be sliced away easily. Time varies depending on the size of the pumpkin as well as microwave wattage. My medium-size pumpkin took 18 minutes (100 % cooking power) in a 1100 watts microwave. It is fully cooked when fork tender (or it can be easily pricked with a toothpick).
- If cooking in the OVEN, place clean pumpkin half or halves cut side up on a baking sheet (if pumpkin is large, you will have to bake halves separately) and bake in a preheated oven at 375º F for about 15 minutes (small), 30 minutes (medium), 45 minutes (large), or until fork tender.
- LET COOL just enough to handle without burning your fingers.
- PEEL it using a knife or your fingers. Either chop or purée the pumpkin flesh, depending what you are using it for. If you intend to purée, pumpkin can be cooked longer, making it much, much easier to peel the skin.
Liz says
Oh, my gosh, what an easy way to remove the peel! Thanks for the tip!
Denise Browning says
My pleasure, Liz!
marcela says
Oh! so good!:) I love this post!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Marcela! I hope it’s useful to you…
John@Kitchen Riffs says
I’ve tried this method and it really works! I usually use the microwave, unless I have the oven on for something else. Such a terrific post — thanks so much.
Denise Browning says
We’re welcome, John! Cooking a pumpkin before peeling makes the task much easier.
Sugar et al. says
What a timely post, my friend! I am going to try this out very soon. (You already know how much I love pumpkin) This is certainly going to make my life easier as I have quite a few recipes in mind and didn’t know too well how to tackle this monster:-)
Denise Browning says
Sonali: I have struggled to peel pumpkin for many years because I tried to peel it before cooking. It used to take all my energy and patience away — no matter the size of the pumpkin. But this method can really help to make things much easier.
Kathleen says
WOW–this is great! Thanks so much for sharing Denise….you’ve made my life alot easier!
Denise Browning says
My struggle trying to peel a pumpkin is over and I hope others’ as well.
Deb|EastofEdenCooking says
A much better way to clean a pumpkin! It’s moving quickly into that extra busy time of year when we can use every tip we can find to help us through the busy holiday season. Thank you Denise!
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Deb! Sometimes what seems so simple like peeling a pumpkin can become a hard task… but cooking it first really simplify our lives.
Little Cooking Tips says
Fantastic idea Denise! Never thought of cooking it before peeling it:) Does that work with squash as well? Have you tried it?
Thank you for another wonderful post!
xo
Denise Browning says
Hi, Panos and Mirella! This technique works well with any kind of squash. xoxo
Little Cooking Tips says
Thank you Denise! That’s really great to know, ’cause Panos’s parents in Evia island have lots of them every year.
Denise Browning says
I hope they apply this technique and peel squash easily. Since squash will be already cooked, it can be used for many dishes.
Miss Kim @ behgopa says
Cool! One time, my boss gave me a bunch of pumpkin to use. I don’t even remember how I dealt with the pumpkin peeling, but it was not fun…there was just so many of them and I only had a tiny little oven at the time…and really HUGE pumpkin. Sometimes I wonder if he did that to punish me lol jk. Of course, we didn’t have a microwave there. Gosh…even slicing through all those huge pumpkins was aggravating just cuz there were so many. But anyways…after that part was over, the fun part was cooking with them. I love pumpkin!
Denise Browning says
Hi, Miss Kim! I am so sorry that you had that kind of experience. Pumpkin is tasty yet hard to peel. Like you said, it is not fun having to peel it. But this method it really makes life easy.
Juliana says
Oh Denise…this is such a great post…love the instructive pictures…this make peeling pumpkin so easy…thanks!
Hope you are enjoying your week 😀
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Juliana! Likewise.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
That’s another reason why I love roasting and peeling pumpkins, all on my own. So freaking easy and therapeutic 🙂
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Kiran!!!! This is the easiest way to peel a pumpkin.
Mi Vida en un Dulce says
You are right, that is the better way to peel a pumpkin: cooked!!!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Nydia!!!
Francesca says
When I moved to Holland, I was missing canned pumpkin so badly. I had a few trial and errors before getting this method down. You just reminded me of first kitchen forays 🙂
Denise Browning says
Hi, Francesca! I also had hard times trying to peel pumpkins for years. Cooking them first is really the best. Storing mashing pumpkins can be quite useful since one can use it to make pumpkin pies and other sweet treats, creamy soups, mashed pumpkin, and others.
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine says
This is a great post Denise, so many people are intimidated by pumpkins because they’re so difficult to peel. Pinning to my “tips and tricks” board!
Denise Browning says
Thanks for sharing it, Chris!
Coffee and Crumpets says
Great post Denise! You know my love for pumpkin 😉 But seriously, they are a headache to peel and this really helps!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Nazneen!
Raymund says
Wow thanks for this tip, I always find it hard to peel pumpkins now theres an easy way. Really happy with this post
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Raymund! I don’t know any other way better than this one to peel a pumpkin.
Alex says
after peeling the pumpkin, can you freeze it? And for how long?
I usually freeze raw pumpkin for 1 yr. Can I do it with that?
I use it in meals during the year.
Denise Browning says
Hi, Alex! Thanks for visiting us. Yes, absolutely! After cooking and peeling the pumpkin, puree cooked pumpkin in a blender or food processor; add just a smidge of water if the pumpkin is dry. Store puree in a freezer bag and use within 9 to 14 months. The reason why pureeing is recommended in this case is because cooked pumpkin chunks retain water and moisture generates spoilage. I hope this helps! Have a great week!