Farm Canning Pumpkin?

[Dio]

Ball Blue book does not recommend canning Pumpkin. Any ideas on if/how it can be done?

 

[Parakeet]

Ball Blue book does not recommend canning Pumpkin. Any ideas on if/how it can be done?

If you have the space, it's easier to freeze flat in freezer bags.

If I don't have room in the freezer, I'll still can pumpkin, but cut it in chunks rather than puree it. When I'm ready to use a jar, I drain off the water, dump the pumpkin in a bowl and mash it with a potato masher or food processor. You can find a table for processing pumpkin in chunks at the link below

http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_04/pumpkin_winter_squash.html

 

[Dio]

Thanks keet, Looks like we will continue to freeze it

 

[kua]

I was going to suggest canning it in chunks as well. When opening the jar, drain it really well. In fact, letting it sit in a colander for 1/2 hour will drain off a LOT of liquid. You will find this works very well and the pumpkin retains its flavor. Use the drained liquid in bread, cookies, etc. In fact, if you used powdered milk or powdered cream in your pumpkin pie, you could use some of the drained liquid to rehydrate the dairy.

 

[summerthyme]

I've been canning pumpkin puree from back when they DID "officially" recommend it! Never had the slightest problem. 70 minutes for pints, and it stores amazingly well for up to 10 years (no real changes in color, texture or flavor, stored in a dark cabinet in a cool basement)

The big "issue" with them no longer officially saying that you can can pumpkin at home is density, and the tendency for people to take short cuts. As long as you properly vent your canner, and do a proper hot pack (if you're trying to do a large canner full, this will probably require cooking some of the pumpkin ahead the day before, and then reheating it all just before packing it into the jars), it's perfectly safe.

Summerthyme

 

[Dio]

Thanks everyone....