How to make homemade pumpkin puree

A lot of you have been asking me how I make my pumpkin puree and it's so simple that you will be making it too!  Why, you ask do I make my own pumpkin puree?  The first time I made it was because I had run out of canned pumpkin and I just happened to have a pie pumpkin as a decoration so I decided it was time I learned to make pumpkin puree, it was cold and rainy outside and the kids were taking a nap so I couldn't just run to the store.  I've used homemade pumpkin puree in soups, cookies, pie, pumpkin dip, pumpkin butter, muffins, pancakes and bread.  Homemade pumpkin puree gives such a great flavor and texture to any recipe that I don't think I'll ever go back to canned puree plus it really doesn't take that much effort to have this wonderful, distinct fall flavor!

 Step 1- Cut a clean pumpkin in 1/2 (make sure you wash the outside of the pumpkin first)

 Step 2-Scoop out the stringy insides and all the seeds (save the seeds for roasting later on)

 Step 3- Cut the pumpkin into smaller sections and boil for 10-15 min.

 Step 4-When the pumpkin will basically fall off the rind then drain it

 This is what the rind looks like with the pumpkin out of it

Step 5- I then take a handheld blender and blend the pumpkin up for about 2 min. (a food processor would work well if you have one)

Step 6-Now, I usually put 1 cup per ziplock baggie and freeze what I won't be using right now and then I try to start storing up for the winter! (if you fold back the edges of your ziplock and place it in a smallish glass it's so much easier to stick your gooey goodness inside, then I force air out and seal it up to freeze)

There are many ways to make pumpkin puree but this is fast and easy for me!  You can bake it, microwave it and boil it, if you use another method please leave me a comment, I'd love to hear from you!  I'm headed into the kitchen to try the microwave and baking method and I will let you know what I find out.  I did find that the Pioneer Woman bakes hers and every single recipe that I've ever made from her is delicious...now I can't wait to try mine baked and see if it tastes the same or different.