Free Pumpkins

About 15 years ago, we were driving in the Pocono Mountains on our way to a harvest fair at a living history farm. On a back road, I saw a giant pumpkin, lying on its side, alongside the road. I asked my husband to stop the car so I could pick it up but he refused since we had already driven down the road a bit. I told him I was getting it on the way home. I remembered where it was and we stopped on the way home. I picked up this huge pumpkin that had a crack on one side of it and put it in the trunk. I could tell it had fallen off a truck just that morning or the night before. It was still fresh!

What did I do with the pumpkin since it had a crack? I cooked it in the oven and we ate it! I cut chunks out and we ate a colonial dish of pumpkin, ham and corn in broth. We ate pumpkin bread and other things. Pumpkins are great to eat and we actually cook with it year round. The best way to get the pumpkin cooked is to cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and place on a greased cookie sheet, flat side down. Bake for one hour at 350 degrees. Now just scoop out the insides. Fresh pumpkin can be watery but throw it in a sieve and have it drain over a bowl and it will be firmer. My issue of Country Living magazine has several great recipes for pumpkin dishes, including pumpkin ginger waffles. Try searching for recipes online and make something with pumpkin today.

If you are not as fortunate as I was that year, and can’t find a roadside pumpkin, try going to a small produce stand. Look for a pumpkin with a crack in it, an odd shape or strange markings. If it isn’t good for Halloween carving, the owner may let you have it at a reduced rate. I asked one produce stand if they would let me have one with a crack in it for a reduced rate and the owner said, “Aw, just take it.” (Another free pumpkin!!!) Don’t be shy. If the answer is no, then say thank you before leaving to try another produce stand.

Does anyone have a good recipe that uses pumpkins? Post it or a link and we can all enjoy some great, Fall fare.