Canned pumpkin

[Mrs Ava]

Do you think, when a recipe calls for canned pumpkin, it would be wise, if using fresh flesh, to maybe steam it first, then measure it out?

[Mrs Ava]

[wardy]

I think so as it might be a bit more liquidy after steaming or cooking to make measuring easier.  :)

[Derekthefox]

I never even knew canned pumpkin was available !!!

(Just being honest about my ignorance).

Derekthefox

[Columbus]

HI EJ,
My American wife uses canned pumpkin sent from the states to make pie as she can`t get the same results with fresh pumpkin. The label just says prepared pumpkin, it contains spices and has a creamy texture not like cooked pumpkin at all. We haven`t found a source for canned pumpkin in the UK .. anybody?

Col

[Mrs Ava]

Oh well, thanks for the replies.....I think I will try steaming a batch, then blitzing it with my whizzy hand blender jobee and see how that works.  I have never seen canned pumpkin in the stores or delis either, but I bet you can get it in somewhere like Harrods!!

[Jesse]

Do you not get American shops that sell american food, a bit like the SA shops here that sell all sorts of south african food that is not available in the supermarkets? I used to work for an American company who had a lot of expat staff living in Cobham, Surrey...there might be something around there. :-\

[Columbus]

E.J.  :) Please let us know how you get on.

Jesseveve  :) Theres a shop in london that mainly sells imported American sweets and pop, (at a premium) but not canned pumpkin unfortunately.

And people who have access to military shops on US bases might be able to get some.

Col

[stuffed]

I'm sure I've seen it in waitrose.

[Doris_Pinks]

Columbus, these say they have it, loads of other stuff too, just don't show my kids they have Fruit loops and lucky charms! ;D  Oh  look at that list of Betty Crockers! ;D  ;D, and Lawrys too, hmm may have to put an order together meself!

The Pumpkin is showing at £2.34 per can.

http://www.euroamfo.com/shop/system/index.html

Also looks good for some oriental stuff.

Opps yes, stuffed is right, Waitrose do have it and a lot cheaper too! ;D

http://www.ocado.com/webshop/startWebshop.do?tab=0

They are doing quite a few American bits, got my Aunt Jemima's syrup there before Christmas!

[Columbus]

Hi  :D

Thankyou, my wife will be pleased ... fruit loops and lucky charms too..
this is gonna mean a shopping spree :-X

Col

[Doris_Pinks]

My kids came back after spending their last holiday money at the grocery store at christmas with fruit loops, Lucky charms, Jello  AND various flavours of cool aid, I had to pack one suitcase with the stuff...............hmmmmmmm wonder why they are bouncing off the walls! ;D

[honeybee]

Thats so funny DP.....I cant tell you how many times we have overstretched the suitcase with supplies of fruit loops for my fruit loop crazy child on our trips to the states ;D

Funnily enough a friend fetched him some back a few weeks ago too.

Glad its not just our house that has the fruit loop craze DP  ;D

[Doris_Pinks]

Bat yours is bouncin off the walls too! ;D You read whats in that stuff???? :o

[cliff_the_gardener]

Sorry an old thread I know,
The canned pumpkin is pumpkin puree, which has been cooked and passed through a strainer to take the water and any stingy bits out of it.  Quite a different animal from blitzed pumpkin.  They use a food strainer, I cant describe it so here is a link
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/mendingshed/bactobasvics.html

A bit late now I guess
Clifford

[Tora]

If you cannot find a can of pumpkin then the following method works well.

1. Steam or microwave pumpkin flesh.
2. Cool it down and then freeze it.
3. Take it out of the freezer and thaw it thoroughly.
4. Squeeze out the excess water (I squeeze it by hands but you could use a muslin bag).
5. Blitz it until smooth.

You should end up with much thicker puree than just cooking and blitzing.  ;D