Pumpkin/Squash Purée
(PB)
This delicious SWEET, HEALTHY mash is great as a side serving or as a lighter replacement to mash potato. It can be sweeten and used to make Pumpkin Pie, but my favourite way to use this mash is as the base ingredient for an epically yummy PB Mac n Cheese type dish - I'll get that recipe up on here under mains asap.
I'm always so excited when the first beautiful Squash and Pumpkins start to ripen in Autumn (as I am when it comes to the first of any seasonal veg actually)! But I feel there is something particularly comforting about the nourishment I know we'll be getting from these bright cheery orange beauties.
This mash is a great way to use up large amounts of Pumpkin or Winter Squash if you have an abundance at harvest time, if your stock is coming towards the end of their storage life (as is the case here and the inspiration for this recipes) or if you've just bought a whooper from your local Farmers Market or Store and LOVE pumpkin like us!
If you are using this as mash, I don't think there is any need to add butter, milk or equivalent, you'll find it a lot lighter and looser already, but play around with flavours to suit your taste. My favourite flavouring for Pumpkin/Squash is Smoked Paprika or just as is, with its natural sweetness.
I make up a large batch at a time and then freeze it into 400g portions to use later mostly.
What you will need:
Large Saucepan
Hand Masher, Stick Blender or Blender Jug
Ingredients:
Good amount of Pumpkin or Winter Squash
Water (Ideally clean spring/filtered)
*(PB) = Plant Based
Method:
Chop your Pumpkin/Squash into medium/large chunks and cut off all the hard skin.
Depending on the density of your fruit, the contents will reduce down a lot when mashed, so don't be afraid to use up as much as you can.
Add it to your saucepan and cover with just enough water so that everything floats.
Cover your pan and bring to the boil, then simmer for about 5 mins or until your pumpkin cubes are really soft.
Drain thoroughly, then mash or blend.
Season/flavour as necessary or divide into storage containers and freeze to use later in other delicious colourful recipes.
✌️🌿