Pumpkin

I'm going to make this pumpkin spice cake for Thanksgiving and I was thinking about substituting butternut squash for the pumpkin. How many squash do I need to equal one can of pumpkin? And would I need to drain it as you do the pumpkin? I can't find canned pumpkin in Dublin or I honestly wouldn't go to the hassle of using fresh! 

If you boil the squash I'd say yes. Even when I've baked it, it has had quite a high water content.   Also have you thought about using sweet potatoes?  That can work well in cakes and breads too. 

I'm going to make this pumpkin spice cake for Thanksgiving and I was thinking about substituting butternut squash for the pumpkin. How many squash do I need to equal one can of pumpkin? And would I need to drain it as you do the pumpkin? I can't find canned pumpkin in Dublin or I honestly wouldn't go to the hassle of using fresh! 

If I recall correctly, a can is 1 3/4 cups. At a guess, I'd say one average-sized squash should do ya. I think you'd probably want to drain it as well, but it's not a big deal. I just chuck the puree in one of those fine wire mesh strainers and sit it on top of a bowl. Cover with cling film and shove in the fridge (if you can! it would probably be fine if you can't, though.) for a couple of hours. Or however long is convenient.

There is that really lovely butternut squash recipe on here I made once... any one care to find it?  I'm a bit ill at the moment... but yes pumpkin works great as a sub for butternut squash.  Geeta come teach me to cook!  How do you make the pumpkin curry?  Sounds amazing!

I will!! Will post a link to recipes when I am back at my office.

Feast your eyes on these!

http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/11/pumpkin-cupcakes/

I'm really considering giving these a go this weekend - though I might just make a cake instead of the cupcakes. YUM!

Feast your eyes on these!

http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/11/pumpkin-cupcakes/

I'm really considering giving these a go this weekend - though I might just make a cake instead of the cupcakes. YUM!

Pumpkin...maple-cream cheese frosting...drool...

Pumpkin...maple-cream cheese frosting...drool...

She also has recipes for pumpkin bread pudding, bourbon pumpkin cheesecake (oh baby), and all sorts of other amazing looking desserts.

I make pumpkin cheesecake every year for Thanksgiving. J doesn't like pumpkin pie, and I'm indifferent, so cheesecake it is.

Last year I made some pumpkin rice pudding that was fab, but pumpkin bread pudding sounds even better!

Geeta come teach me to cook!  How do you make the pumpkin curry?  Sounds amazing!

Here you go!  This are just a few examples but there are loads out there.  Don't freak out if you don't have/can't find all the spices.  I will send you some if you like!

http://www.mamtaskitchen.com/recipe_display.php?id=10074
http://thecookscottage.typepad.com/curry/2005/11/bhopla_bhajipum.html
http://www.lokpriya.com/cuisine/maharashtra/veg/lalbhoplyachibhaji.html

Here you go!  This are just a few examples but there are loads out there.  Don't freak out if you don't have/can't find all the spices.  I will send you some if you like!

http://www.mamtaskitchen.com/recipe_display.php?id=10074
http://thecookscottage.typepad.com/curry/2005/11/bhopla_bhajipum.html
http://www.lokpriya.com/cuisine/maharashtra/veg/lalbhoplyachibhaji.html

Thanks for the links, Geeta. Very cool! I would love to try to really cook some Indian food sometime instead of just using the pastes in the jars here.  I'll keep those links handy.

Thanks for the links, Geeta. Very cool! I would love to try to really cook some Indian food sometime instead of just using the pastes in the jars here.  I'll keep those links handy.

You're welcome!  It's much nicer when you cook it yourself. 

Here you go!  This are just a few examples but there are loads out there.  Don't freak out if you don't have/can't find all the spices.  I will send you some if you like!

http://www.mamtaskitchen.com/recipe_display.php?id=10074
http://thecookscottage.typepad.com/curry/2005/11/bhopla_bhajipum.html
http://www.lokpriya.com/cuisine/maharashtra/veg/lalbhoplyachibhaji.html

 
This will go great with my curry obsession lately!

This will go great with my curry obsession lately!

   I seriously think pumpkin/squash curry is one of my most favorite dishes.  I could eat it all day!

The Pioneer Woman has a post about how to make Pumpkin Puree from last Fall:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/10/make-your-own-pumpkin-puree/

It's great, because she always uses step-by-step photos.

The Pioneer Woman has a post about how to make Pumpkin Puree from last Fall:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/10/make-your-own-pumpkin-puree/

It's great, because she always uses step-by-step photos.

Lol,

Ugh. This is always the worst part. I’m sorry, guys…but you’re a part of the food chain. I’m just following the natural order of things.

Always gotta love the pioneer woman!