Safe from 6 months. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. It has more vitamin A per serving than almost any other vegetable.
Raw pumpkin is dense, fibrous, and mildly bitter with almost no sweetness, which is why it is never served raw to babies. Baking or steaming transforms the flesh into a smooth, moist, mildly sweet puree with a warm, earthy depth and a subtle vegetal note. It pairs naturally with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, butter, apple, coconut, vanilla, and sage.
Roast or steam until very soft. Cut into thick spears or scoop and mash. Sweet and nutrient-dense.
Dice into small pieces, roasted. Can make pumpkin pancakes or muffins.
Pumpkin puree in baked goods, soups, pasta sauce, pancakes.
Ingredients
Steps
Freeze in ice cube trays for up to 4 months. One cube stirred into oatmeal makes a quick breakfast. Also works with canned pure pumpkin puree (not pie filling).
Garden notes
Small sugar pumpkins (pie pumpkins) are better for eating than large carving varieties.
Direct sow 3 weeks after last frost - needs 90-120 days so plan your planting date carefully.
Harvest for baby
Roasted pumpkin mashes smoothly - great for 6+ month purees or soft mashed chunks for older babies.
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Add Pumpkin to my garden