How to Cook a Whole Pumpkin in an Instant Pot| Homemade Puree
It's easy to cook a whole pumpkin in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker! I'll show you step-by-step ... no mixer or blender needed.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Natural release 30 minutes; draining puree45 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Servings: 2 1/4 cups
Calories: 83kcal
Cost: 3
Remove the stem from a 2 to 3 pound pie pumpkin, if the lid won't fit with the stem on, with a sharp knife and place the pumpkin on the rack that comes with the Instant Pot in the bottom of the pot.
Add the 1 cup of water.
Place the lid, with sealing ring in place, on the Instant Pot . Cook on Manual or Pressure Cook for 23 to 25 minutes. (Twenty three minutes for a 2 pound pumpkin; 25 minutes for a 3 pound pumpkin). It took 13 minutes to come up to pressure and start counting down.Let the pressure naturally release (NR) after cooking 25 minutes. Carefully remove the pumpkin from the Instant Pot using the rack with handles and pot holders to transfer it to a bowl or cutting board. Let it cool to the touch.
Using a large spoon cut away the pumpkin rind. It will be very soft and should just fall away.
Slice the pumpkin in half and gently remove the seeds and pulp. The pumpkin will be soft enough to simply mash with a fork or potato masher. Save the pumpkin seeds if you want to roast them.
I like to drain the pumpkin puree for about 15 minutes in a metal or plastic sieve to remove any liquid that might water out. Use in recipes in place of canned pumpkin puree.
Yield: 2 1/4 cups for a 3 pound pumpkin
- If you want to replace a 15-ounce can of pumpkin with your fresh pumpkin puree, measure 1 1/2 cups plus 1 1/2 tablespoons.
- You can also weigh out 15 ounces on a kitchen scale.
- Store your pumpkin puree in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
- 83 calories per cup
Calories: 83kcal