Storing pumpkin

[Deleted]

For some time now I have tried to get pumpkin, but it hasn't been holiday season so I couldn't find it in the usual stores I shop at. Well, I finally found some at a local store, in 6 lb 10 oz cans! They were discontinuing them and the cans were $5 each. That seemed like a good price so I got 2 of them.

Well, now I'm thinking, once I crack open one of these cans, it is going to take a long time for my fuzzes to eat it all. It seems like it would go bad in the fridge if I had it in there long enough to use it all. Seems like I need to divide it up into smaller portions and freeze it or something. Would that work? How long does pumpkin last when frozen?

Any ideas?

[Sherry]

Granted, I use about a tbsp a day, but a 10 oz can lasts until it's gone in the fridge as long as I put it in a sealed container. Otherwise, you can freeze it in ice cube trays then baggie them.
The consistency does change somewhat in the freezer, but if you are putting it in commercial raw, or in soupies, it's fine. I've also heard that if you add a wee bit of water and warm it, it comes back to normal.

[jadewolf]

I second Sherry on the freezing into ice cubes then bagging. I plan this fall to buy 2 sugar pumpkins to cook myself, blend and freeze like that for use through the year. Sugar pumpkins are smaller and tastier than the jack-o-lantern pumpkins and probably the variety used in canned pumpkin; they're not actually meant to produce real sugar or anything. I've done this before for my own baking use, but only since joining this board have I realized the ferrets should have a supply too!

It's really easy to cook pumpkin. Just cut them in half (this is the hardest part, you need a big heavy knife and be careful it doesn't roll!) and scoop out the seeds like any squash. Depending how big they are I leave them as is or quarter them, and put in a pot above an inch of boiling water. Put on a tight lid and cook until done, usually 30-40 min. Let cool, and the skin will slip right off for disposal. Then just blend, and you're done. A 4 lb pumpkin gives about 1.5 cups.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the tip!

I actually have done this before, but not for ferrets

I LOVE cooking pumpkin pie from scratch! I have a really good recipe

I'll have to buy some extra pumpkins for the ferrets when they become cheap and available during the holidays