
bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images
Baking a pumpkin is similar to baking a butternut squash and a cost effective replacement for canned pumpkin. The best pumpkins for baking are small, pie or sugar pumpkins, which have a sweeter taste than other varieties. Although pie and sugar pumpkins make a tastier pumpkin dessert or dish, any pumpkin can be used for cooking purposes. Keep in mind that larger pumpkins can be more difficult to cut and somewhat tasteless when baked. Pumpkins can be purchased at your local grocer or pumpkin patch during the autumn months.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Wash the outside of the pumpkin with water and remove any dirt or spots with a washcloth.
Pull or cut off the stem of the pumpkin and use a large knife to cut the pumpkin in half.
Scoop out the pumpkin seeds and any stringy flesh from both halves using a sturdy spoon. Compost or throw out the seeds and stringy flesh, or save the seeds for roasting.
Drizzle 1 tbsp. of cooking oil on each of the pumpkin halves.
Place the halves flesh side down in a metal or glass baking dish that is at least 2 inches deep.
Pour 1 cup of water into the pan. This helps create steam to cook the pumpkin and keeps the pumpkin from burning or sticking to the pan.
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for one hour. Check the pumpkin after one hour and bake for another 30 minutes, if necessary. The flesh should be very tender when poked with a fork.
Remove dish from the oven and let stand until cool enough to handle. Scoop the flesh out of the halves using a sturdy spoon and reserve for cooking purposes.
Related Articles

How to Cook Pumpkin Guts

The Best Way to Cook Pumpkin

How to Cook a Neck Pumpkin

How to Prepare French Toast in Advance

How to Clean Your Merrell Shoes

How to Cook a Turban Squash

How to Bake Nectarines Like Peaches
Easy Strawberry Cake Recipe

How to Roast Beets for Canning or ...

How to Peel a Pumpkin
How to Dry Pumpkins

How to Cook Delicata Squash Cut in Half

How to Cook Delicata Squash in the Oven

How to Bake Fresh String Beans in the ...

Make This Favorite Pumpkin Pie Family ...

How to Clean Butternut Squash

How to Cook Fairytale Pumpkin Squash

Can You Cook With a Halloween Pumpkin?

How to Clean Scuffed Up Rain Boots

How to Cook Prawns in a Oven
References
Writer Bio
Adrienne Weeks spends her time as a collegiate speech instructor, fitness instructor and stay-at-home mom. She holds a master's degree in communication studies from Texas Tech University. Weeks has written about a wide variety of topics but enjoys sharing her passion about fitness, cooking and parenting.
Photo Credits
bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images