How to Cook the Great Pumpkin (and Pumpkin Cannoli)

With the coming of fall our thoughts turn to pumpkins. Those lush, orange objects are more than just Jack O' Lanterns for Halloween. One pumpkin can create several meals making it not only a multipurpose ingredient but a cost-efficient and nutritional powerhouse.

"Whether you purchase canned, make your own puree, or just buy one to carve for Halloween, there are so many ways to use this most versatile squash," explains Chef Kristina Vanni. "Pumpkins can be turned into soups, casseroles, side dishes, breads, cakes, cookies, pies, and preserves. In addition to its wonderful flavor, pumpkin brings a host of nutrients to the table, particularly Vitamin C, beta-carotene, and potassium."

As a chef, Kristina Vanni is known for her "Easy, Elegant, and Everyday" approach to cooking. Her recipes are approachable but have "that certain something" that makes them unique and special. She is the food writer and on-camera talent for BetterRecipes.com (part of the Meredith Corporation Food Sites). As we head into fall, Kristina shows home cooks how to take a single pumpkin and transform it into a fabulous, affordable fall meal.

"You won't believe how easy it is to make your own fresh pumpkin puree and use it in delicious recipes that everyone will love. The dishes I have created here offer a new way to enjoy the entire pumpkin, all the way down to the seeds! "

Once you buy your pumpkin, Kristina has these time-saving tips on how to get the most out of your pumpkin:

How to Cook a Fresh Pumpkin

Start with small pumpkins, about 2-3 pounds. The smaller pumpkins are not only easier to handle, they are sweeter in taste. First, wash the pumpkins over running water and pat dry with a clean dish towel or paper towel. Next, cut the pumpkin into large chunks and scoop out all the seeds (save them for roasting!) and stringy bits. Now you are ready! Here are some easy options on how to cook the pumpkins chunks. Use whatever method is best for you.

1) Oven-Roasting: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place pumpkin chunks, skin side up, in a glass baking dish. Add 1/4 inch of water and bake, uncovered, for 45-60 minutes (depending on chunk sizes) until flesh is tender, checking occasionally to add more water, if needed.

2) Microwave: Place pumpkin chunks, skin side up, in a glass baking dish. Add 1/4 inch of water and cover pan with plastic wrap or wax paper, and vent. Microwave on HIGH for about 10 minutes (or about 5 minutes per pound) until pumpkin is tender.

3) Steaming: Heat water to boiling in a saucepan that fits a steamer. Place pumpkin chunks in steamer container and place over pan. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes or until pumpkin is tender.

4) Slow Cooker: Place pumpkin chunks, skin side down, in slow cooker. Cook on low for 3 to 3-1/2 hours or until pumpkin is tender.

Easy-to-Make Fresh Pumpkin Puree:

For all methods after pumpkin is cooked, scoop out pulp and discard skin. Pulp can be pureed in a blender or food processor, or stirred by hand until smooth, or you can keep it chunky, if desired. Pulp keeps in the refrigerator for a week or it can also be frozen in airtight containers for 6 months. A 2-3 pound pumpkin will make about 2-1/2 cups of puree.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds:

To make roasted pumpkin seeds, place seeds in a colander and rinse. Pick out all pieces of pulp. Place seeds on a baking sheet and pat dry. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Drizzle a little vegetable oil over seeds and sprinkle with some salt and toss. Bake for 10 minutes, stir, and return to oven. Bake another 10-15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes until golden and crispy.

Now that you have cooked and pureed your pumpkin Kristina has created easy-to-make fall dishes that are sure to make everyone say "it's the Great Pumpkin!"

Kristina's passion for food began at the tender age of 12 when she earned a spot in the winner's circle at the Pillsbury Bake-Off. Since then she has gone on to win top honors from Martha Stewart, Betty Crocker, and Kraft, just to name a few. Most recently she represented the USA and won an international chef competition in Australia.

Kristina shares her culinary knowledge with television audiences around the world. She served as the food and wine correspondent to Melbourne, Australia for the CBS travel special "Aussie Week." Kristina also hosted the Better Homes and Gardens series "100 Days of Holidays." She can often be seen as a culinary expert and product spokesperson on morning show segments in cities across America.

Kristina also takes the stage in live cooking demonstrations. As "America's Next Pork Personality," she cooked alongside Guy Fieri at the Food Network's New York City Wine and Food Festival. She was named the "Hot Chef 2009" by the National Restaurant Association and is a featured chef at their annual show in Chicago.

Kristina's recipes can be found in cookbooks, food magazines and online. She is also a contributing writer for the National Pork Board, the National Restaurant Association, and is the host of BetterRecipes.com (part of the Meredith Corporation Food Sites).

Whether it is being named master of the grill or earning kudos for whipping up a sweet treat, this award-winning culinary diva can rock any cuisine and is always ready for her food to take center stage!

Pumpkin Cannoli
Makes 12 cannoli

8 ounce container mascarpone cheese
3/4 cup fresh pumpkin puree*
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup chopped pumpkin seeds (pepitas), divided
2 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
12 purchased cannoli shells (two 4-ounce boxes)
Additional powdered sugar for dusting

In a large mixing bowl, stir together mascarpone cheese, pumpkin puree, powdered sugar, ricotta, and pumpkin pie spice until blended.

Fold in 1/4 cup of the pumpkin seeds and the mini chocolate chips; set aside. In a chilled mixing bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks form. Fold into pumpkin mixture.

Cover and chill for 1 to 2 hours. Right before serving, pipe pumpkin filling into cannoli shells, going all the way to the ends. Sprinkle the ends with remaining 1/4 cup chopped pumpkin seeds. Sprinkle shell with powdered sugar and serve.


For more of Kristina's recipes, cooking tips and culinary adventures visit her blog "The Daily Dish" at www.betterrecipes.com/blogs/daily-dish . She can also be found interacting with her fans at www.facebook.com/betterrecipes and @BetterRecipes on Twitter.