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Pumpkin Pie Showdown: Canned vs. Fresh

Posted Mon, Nov 17, 2008, 11:30 am PST

73 Comments

1. Posted by roygbiv_abc on Wed, Nov 19, 2008, 8:28 pm PST

It really isn't all that much work to get some fresh pumpkin. This method involves no chopping or peeling. Start with a nice little pie pumpkin. Easy to find. Lob it in half, scoop out the guts (seeds - clean and save them to roast for 10-15 min. in a slow oven), place cut side down in a roasting pan that will fit both and fill pan with about an 1" of water. Put in a 350-400 degree oven for about an hour or til skins turn a lovely deep orange. This process steams the pumpkin. You may have to add more water so keep an eye on it. Once they are all done, take them out of the over BUT WATCH OUT BECAUSE THE STEAM IS REALLY HOT! Let the pumpkin halfs cool and scoop out that orange deliciousness. This should yield about 4-8 cups of pumpkin, depending on how big your pie pumpkin was.
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2. Posted by roygbiv_abc on Wed, Nov 19, 2008, 8:29 pm PST

One more thing... your steamed pumpkin freezes REALLY well.
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3. Posted by Victoria Y on Thu, Nov 20, 2008, 7:56 pm PST

Fresh!!!!!!!!
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4. Posted by mpf_scribe on Thu, Nov 20, 2008, 8:23 pm PST

I have an exquisite & subtle recipe for pumpkin soup I absconded with the recipe from a French restaurant that I worked at 25 years ago. It has long since gone out of business (not due to this recipe, however). If that would be of interest to anyone, email me.
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5. Posted by trapeze_mike on Thu, Nov 20, 2008, 8:30 pm PST

I have always used Libby's canned pumpkin (Not pumpkin pie mix). Early on a chef mentioned that the fresh pumpkin didn't have the flavor or consistency. And of course it is certainly easier.
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6. Posted by hassan_saeed07 on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 12:05 am PST

yahoo is great.i love it!
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7. Posted by gch_education on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 12:08 am PST

How can you say pumpkins aren't a flavor dance party? Have you ever tasted a baby pam? The best!
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8. Posted by hassan_saeed07 on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 12:09 am PST

Hello guys! i am new to yahoo.Could someone please tell me how to watch movies on this site???
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9. Posted by bythewayhello on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 12:47 am PST

mmmmmm sooooooooooooooo good
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10. Posted by Jack on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 3:44 am PST

These folks actually get paid to write this crap?????
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11. Posted by keith m on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 6:25 am PST

Hi, I did a taste with my two kids who love pumpkin pie and the canned pumpkin won hands down.
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12. Posted by glovefl on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 6:41 am PST

real pumpkin has a lot more texture, frankly, I don't see the general population who love overly processed no-chewing-needed foods to be a fan of this. I also notice it needs a lot more spice. If you really want a fantastic pumpkin pie, however, canned or fresh, try to use duck or goose eggs instead of chicken eggs. One of these per 2-3 regular eggs - texture so wonderful you can't believe it!
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13. Posted by Weseye on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 6:48 am PST

Who has time to cook-prepare fresh pumpkin? We always use canned pumpkin and the pies are always eaten up
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14. Posted by lyseeloo2000 on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 7:49 am PST

I always wondered if making pumpkin pie from scratch was better than using the canned stuff but after a few test pies these past few holiday seasons I found that the can is better than the real thing when it comes to pies. I buy organic, no sugar added, just plain ole pumpkin and still add my own spices and the amount of sugar I want. The difference is pumpkin texture, pumpkin flavor, and density in the can makes a more developed tasting, firmer and richer pie. Unless you use pie pumpkins for scratch pies using pumpkins can be tantamount to taking an acorn squash and making it into a pie. I will add that pies baked at home with the canned stuff are still way better than the corn syrup filled pies you buy at the grocery store ready made. Pumpkins are great for other recipes but when it comes down to the pie, can the from scratch idea besides, don't you have enough to do it the kitchen this season?
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15. Posted by Brie on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 9:51 am PST

"And neither do US serious eaters?" Somebody's editor needs to be fired...or at least talked to.
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16. Posted by x x on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 10:07 am PST

My wife ibakes as a hobby and makes pumpkin bread that everyone REALLY loves...so much so that one of my co-workers actually offered to PAY her to bake 5 loaves that she can bring to relatives for the holidays...and when word got around that she would bake it for money, I ended up taking orders for 5 more loaves! (and my company is not large; only 20 or so people work in the building). And guess what...she uses canned pumpkin.
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17. Posted by richard g on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 10:08 am PST

canned
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18. Posted by cranberrycosmo on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 10:27 am PST

I think I'd rather gather in the kitchen with my family and make it ourselves - like we always have. Its definitely worth the effort.
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19. Posted by joyk1230 on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 11:57 am PST

I only use fresh pumpkin for my pies. This is a carry-over from my mother making them from scratch. We found a can of pumpkin in the trash one year and would not eat the pie. Real fresh pumpkin is best, and not hard to fix either.
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20. Posted by pgj517 on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 12:08 pm PST

I don't think preparing pumpkin is that much of a big deal!
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21. Posted by jewella on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 3:01 pm PST

you idiot.. so you see an empty pumpkin pie filling can in the trash and decide to waste food by not eating their pie?? you suck!Starving people would love the canned pie.. Get over yourself joyk1230..
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22. Posted by bcasey20022002 on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 3:15 pm PST

I have used fresh pie pumpkins for years and no, it is not hard to make them into pies. I like the fresh because I like to add the amount of spices and sugar I want. Because....I do not want the taste of pumpkin over shadowed by spices. I like the taste of the pumpkin, itself!
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23. Posted by Louie on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 4:38 pm PST

Who really makes fresh pumpkin pie? Martha Stewart doesn't even make it fresh. Canned pie is just as good and a whole lot less time consuming.
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24. Posted by darleneyoung20 on Fri, Nov 21, 2008, 6:57 pm PST

alredy have
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25. Posted by tlm399 on Sat, Nov 22, 2008, 9:39 am PST

Interesting comments...this year I tried a couple different fresh pumpkins (sugar baby, a white sweet one, pams and baby pumpkin) and I thought for sure they would taste better than using a can...and honestly, it didn't. I never use canned pie filling, just the fresh canned pumpkin and I honestly didn't find one better than the other, if fresh was better i would use it but it really wasn't, with any of the fresh pumpkin varieties. It wasn't that hard using fresh but it certainly took extra effort. If you have the time and energy, use fresh but it honestly isn't any better in my experience, just ensure the canned variety is just pumpkin, no additives or preservatives and not pie filling, cause that tastes kind of fake. At the end of the day, the love you put into making something for the people you love will always be welcomed; warm kitchens, warm hearts.
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26. Posted by Barb on Sat, Nov 22, 2008, 6:18 pm PST

I like a pie with fresh pumpkin--it's much lighter and more delicate-tasting, almost like a custard. To me the canned pumpkin pies taste heavy, gloppy and too sweet. I think most people prefer canned because it's what they're used to.
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27. Posted by nadogrl1950 on Sun, Nov 23, 2008, 9:32 pm PST

I've used fresh & canned over the years. Now, I just go to Costco!
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28. Posted by Laura on Mon, Nov 24, 2008, 7:33 am PST

I joined a farmer's co-op this year, and got two pumpkins one week. I decided to cook them up and freeze them to use for my Thanksgiving pies. But honestly, it took hours of work and it was kind of gross and everyone tells me that the cans are just as good. It was a lot of work when I can get the canned pumpkin for a dollar. I've always used canned before and everyone loves my pies, but I didn't want to waste the pumpkins. I guess we'll see what the verdict is on Thursday, but I'm still so unsure about this fresh pumpkin that I spent the buck and bought a can, just in case.
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29. Posted by LittleM on Tue, Nov 25, 2008, 10:47 am PST

Agree with Jack & Barb! The canned is too processed & probably comes from China! ha! Fresh is NOT that time consuming, messy, and you get to roast/eat the seeds (which is FUN!).
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30. Posted by dotsala@sbcglobal.net on Tue, Nov 25, 2008, 11:34 am PST

I would be very interested in a pumpkin pie recipe that does not need eggs or has anyone found a substitute for the eggs??
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