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Homemade Pumpkin Puree
Pumpkin puree can be used to make pumpkin pies, bars, breads, muffins and more. It's a fairly easy process to do and the puree freezes really well, so you can use homemade Minnesota Grown pumpkin puree all year long! There are lots of different methods to make your own pumpkin puree. Here are a few examples: 
BAKE WHOLE PUMPKIN:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Put the whole pumpkin into the oven. Some people place a baking pan on the rack below the pumpkin to catch any drips.
3. Bake for 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the size of your pumpkin. If you can stick a knife into the side of the pumpkin fairly easily, the pumpkin is done. Please note: the outside skin will still be somewhat tough.
4. Remove pumpkin and let cool. You can poke a few holes in the top, or cut the top off, to let steam escape and help it cool faster. (Be careful!)
5. Once cooled, cut into chunks and clean out the inside. The stringy flesh and seeds will remove easily.
6. Peel or cut skin away from flesh.
7. Puree flesh with potato/avocado smasher, fork or run through processor.
For all methods below:
1. Wash the outside of the pumpkin with a vegetable brush to remove dirt.
2. Cut off the top of the pumpkin and clean out the inside. (Like you were making a jack-o-lantern.) You can save the seeds for roasting (we gave you a recipe last month!) and discard the stringy flesh.
Hint: scrapping the insides with a serrated spoon, like a grapefruit spoon works really well! 
BOIL:
3. Cut the pumpkin into one-inch pieces.
4. Place in pan, flesh side down. Fill pan with about 1-inch of water. The water should cover about 1/4-1/2 of the pumpkin's flesh.
5. Bring water to a boil. Reduce heat and continue simmer for about 30 minutes, or until skin is soft.
4. Drain and let cool.
5. Peel or cut skin off and place pumpkin flesh in a bowl. Mash with potato or avocado masher to desired consistency. You could also puree pumpkin flesh into a food processor.
BAKE (in pieces):
3. Preheat over to 350 degrees.
4. Cut pumpkin into evenly sized pieces.
5. Place in a 9x13 baking pan, flesh side down.
6. Pour about 1 cup of water into the pan. Water should cover about 1/4-1/2 of the flesh of the pumpkin.
7. Rub olive oil on the skin of the pumpkin.
8. Bake at 350 degrees between 45-60 minutes. Baking time will depend on how large or small the pumpkin pieces are.
9. When the skin is tender, remove pumpkin from the oven and allow to cool to the touch.
10. Remove the pumpkin skin and puree pumpkin with potato/avocado masher, fork or run through a food processor to desired consistency.
STEAM:
3. Bring a pot of water to boil that will hold a vegetable steamer or metal colander.
4. Cut the pumpkin into evenly sized pieces and peel the skin off.
5. Place the pumpkin in the steamer/colander over boiling water. Cover and let steam for about 50 minutes or until flesh is tender. 6. Remove pumpkin and let cool. Puree pumpkin with potato/avocado masher, fork or run through a food processor to desired consistency.  TIPS: *Each of these methods can be modified to what works best for you. *If the pumpkin is not fully cooked (flesh is still hard) when you take it out, you can cut it up into smaller pieces and put it back into whichever method you were using for more time. *To freeze, place 1-2 cups of pumpkin puree into a freezer proof plastic bag. Some people place puree into ice cube trays to freeze. This is great if you plan to use your pumpkin for smoothies or in smaller amounts.
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Fresh Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients:
2 cups pumpkin puree
1/2 tea. ginger
1/2 tea. ground cinnamon
1 tea. salt
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup honey, slightly warmed
1/2 cup milk
1/2 heavy whipping cream
1 - 9inch pie crust
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, cream and milk. Gently beat in eggs and honey. Add spices and mix all together.
2. Pour into a 9-inch pie crust. Bake at 400 degrees for 50-55 minutes.
3. Serve slightly warm alone or with your favorite topping. (Whip cream and ice cream are popular choices!)
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Minnesota Grown Facebook
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If you don't already like our page, please "like us" and follow this link. If you already like us, don't forget to subscribe to our posts, so you don't miss any updates! And if you do, please suggest our page to your friends and let's keep the dialogue going! We look forward to hearing more of your thoughts and ideas as well as sharing what's new and local with you!
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THANK YOU!!
We appreciate every person who reads this newsletter and supports Minnesota Grown. If you have something related to Minnesota Grown foods that you'd like to know more about- please tell us! :)
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A Table Full of Minnesota Grown Food
With Thanksgiving only a week away, it's the perfect time to incorporate Minnesota Grown foods into the annual feast.  Turkey is the centerpiece of most traditional Thanksgiving meals and Minnesota is the number one turkey producing and processing state in the US. There are 250 family farmers raising approximately 49 million turkeys annually! In addition to leading the nation in turkey production and supplying many of the turkeys available in grocery stores and coops, The Minnesota Grown Directory features 17 small scale turkey farms that sell directly to consumers. Most of these farms take reservations for a Thanksgiving turkey in the spring of each year, allowing these farms to match production to demand. However, some places may have a few turkeys available due to cancellations; if not there's no better time than now to reserve your turkey for next year! Winter squash and potatoes are very popular side dishes this time of year. They are both versatile and store well into the winter. There are more than 60 farms in The Minnesota Grown Directory that grow one or more varieties of squash. Minnesota is also ranked 7th nationally in the production of potatoes! The Directory has 26 potato farms that sell directly to consumers. Are you entertaining out of town guests? Or do you want to share a bit of history in your meal? Incorporate wild rice into some of your dishes on Thursday!  Wild rice has been grown and harvested in Minnesota long before the first Thanksgiving meal occurred. The Minnesota Cultivated Wild Rice Council has lots of recipes on their website, all of which look delicious! You can learn more and purchase rice from one of the 13 wild rice producers in the Minnesota Grown Directory .
Many of us enjoy at least a bit of dessert on Thanksgiving, so don't forget about pies! Nothing tastes better than a pumpkin pie made from local pumpkins or apples pies made from Haralson and other locally grown varieties. Many apple orchards are still open for sales of apple pies and cider. Minnesota wine complements turkey well. It is one of the fastest growing segments of Minnesota agriculture and The Directory now has more than 30 Minnesota farm wineries. Minnesota produces several white, red and dessert wines. Pairing the perfect wine with your meal depends greatly on how you prepare the turkey and what sides are being served. You can browse the selections of many of the wineries online or visit one to find the perfect wine for your meal. Some wineries offer tasting rooms, a great way to spend the afternoon.  Of course, we must remind ourselves to be thankful for many things this time of year. Let's be thankful for those who work hard everyday to put healthy, delicious, fresh and local food on our tables. Supporting local farmers and Minnesota Grown great way to show appreciation for local farmers. And we, at Minnesota Grown and on behalf of our farmer members, are thankful for all of you who buy locally and share the message with friends and family. 
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Plan a date - Get Your Tree!
The holidays are here and before you know it, your calendar will be packed with family/friend gatherings, holiday concerts, last minute shopping trips, cleaning and decorating in and around the house and oh so much more! We know how stressful (and joyful) this time of year can be. Being organized is a great way to reduce stress. Make sure you schedule a day to visit a local tree farm and pick out the perfect tree for your Christmas celebration.  The Minnesota Grown Directory has over 60 Christmas Tree Farms located across Minnesota. Many cut-your-own Christmas tree farms provide more than just a tree. They provide a wonderful family-friendly experience that everyone will remember.
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Leftover Turkey?
Thanksgiving normally comes and goes very quickly, but those left overs tend to hang around your fridge a little too long. Turkey sandwiches are great, but sometimes it's fun to try some new ideas for that left over turkey. Minnesota Turkey h as over 1100 recipes on their site for turkey. This recipe for Thanksgiving Pie is a great way to use left over stuffing and turkey!
Thanksgiving Pie: 
Ingredients:
2.5 cups prepared stuffing
1.5 cups cubed turkey
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
3/4 cup milk
4 eggs
2 teaspoons mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray.
2. Press stuffing in pie plate to form a pie crust.
3. Add turkey. Sprinkle with onion and cheese.
4. In a small bowl, whisk milk, eggs, mustard and pepper. Pour into pie crust.
5. Bake 35-40 minutes or until set. |
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2012-13 Minnesota Grown Directory - Still Available!
Find your local Christmas tree farm, meat producer, farmers markets (winter markets too!) and more in the 2012-13 Minnesota Grown Directory. Make sure you get your FREE copy today! 
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Sponsors
Minnesota Farmers union is the lead sponsor for The Minnesota Grown Directory. They work to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities. They are a nonprofit membership-based organization. Did you know you don't have to be a farmers to be a member?
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