Dry pumpkins to preserve them for for future use. If you dry them whole, use them in crafts or keep them longer after decorating. Drying the flesh of the pumpkin preserves it for use in baked goods and other dishes. Dried, decorated pumpkins, especially if painted, last for months. The dried flesh may last even longer if stored properly. Drying your pumpkins means you never have to waste another pumpkin, if you have a large harvest or don't have enough time to use a fresh pumpkin before it spoils.
For Crafts or Decorating
Wipe the pumpkins with a cloth dipped in warm, soapy water. Spray the pumpkins with a household disinfectant to kill any bacteria that may cause spoilage. Wipe off any remaining disinfectant with a clean, dry towel.
Spread pieces of newspaper out in an area that maintains temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the pumpkins on top of the newspaper to cure and dry for 1 to 2 weeks. The skin should harden completely when the pumpkin is dry.
For Food
Wipe the pumpkins with a cloth dipped in warm, soapy water. Spray the pumpkins with a household disinfectant to kill any bacteria that may cause spoilage. Wipe off any remaining disinfectant with a clean, dry towel.
Cut the pumpkins in half with a clean, sharp, serrated knife. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon and discard.
Cut the skin from the pumpkins and cut the flesh into slices.
Steam the pumpkin slices in a steamer or in a pot on the stove top for six minutes.
Spread the slices out evenly on a tray and lay them in the sun to dry for about two days, or until completely dry. The pumpkin slices should shrivel, appear dry and brittle and have no areas of moisture left when they are fully dry.