Baby Food: Pumpkin

Tis' the season - so we've been doing lots of Pumpkin over here!

And I am pretty sure, the Babe LOVES.PUMPKIN!

Yahoo!

For Pumpkin, you want to purchase small Pumpkins. They usually go by the name of 'Pie' or 'Sugar' Pumpkins.

Cut them in half, scoop out the guts, and then place them inside half down on a baking sheet.

(Save the seeds for roasting Pumpkin seeds as a snack...or to throw in your garden for next year!)



Bake at 350 degrees for about 60 minutes - time will vary depending on the size of your Pumpkin and your oven. If you press on it, and it gives, it is done.

Let them cool some so you can can handle them, then peel the skin off. I find I can just slip a fork under the skin and peel it off easily in nice, big patches.

Then, place your cooked Pumpkin in your processor of choice. I use my mini food processor.



Pulse it real good until it is nice and smooth.

Then, you are going to want to scoop it out and place it over a tea towel, or something of the like, and let the water drain out. Pumpkins are 90% water you know. I am too impatient to wait 30 minutes or so for it to drain on it's own, so I let it sit while I clean up, then I give it a good 'ring & squeeze'!



Yes, I fully realize what this picture, above, looks like :) But it is SO good.

After it has drained its water, I place it in a canning jar and store it in the fridge. It goes fast so I don't need to worry about freezing it. You can use it from here for all sorts of things.

For baby, I like to add some cinnamon and nutmeg and it tastes just like Pumpkin Pie! HE.LOVES.IT!

I told my husband I was going to make some breastmilk whipped cream for him too - JUST KIDDING! Ok, I said it, but I didn't seriously mean it! I may be weird, but I am not that crazy!

Pumpkins are loaded with antioxident Beta-Carotene, which converts to Vitamin A for baby. Vitamin A is a good thing - it helps his/her immune system. Pumpkin is also high in Fiber.

So, what are you waiting for? Feed your kid some Pumpkin!