Homemade pumpkin pie is a stalwart fall experience. The smells are sure to conjure up memories of cool autumn days, jumping into leaf piles, apple- or pumpkin-picking excursions, and overall seasonal enjoyment.
But while the canned stuff is recipe-worthy, there’s just no beating a pumpkin pie made with fresh pumpkin produce!
To harvest the edible flesh, first cut a small pie pumpkin in half and remove the seeds. Then place the pumpkin halves cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Bake the segments in a preheated oven at 400°F until the flesh is soft enough to mash. Remove the baking sheet and allow to cool. When ready, scrape away the flesh from the rind and purée. Now you’re ready to add this delicious and fresh ingredient to your traditional pumpkin pie recipes. Enjoy!