How to freeze pumpkin

Learn everything you need to know about how to freeze pumpkins properly. There are several ways to freeze pumpkin, and the various methods can be applied to other autumnal squashes like marrows, resulting in similar outcomes. By freezing your pumpkin, you can make delicious pumpkin recipes any time of the year.

How to freeze pumpkin

Whether you want to freeze a whole pumpkin, sections, or prefer to deal with only the flesh and not the seeds, learning the right method will help you enjoy it for longer. Read on to find out what you need to know about freezing pumpkins.

How to freeze fresh pumpkin

Fresh pumpkins recently harvested need to be immediately frozen. That’s because it usually lasts for at least a few weeks. However, unless you have the right storage conditions, freezing them makes a lot of sense. To do so:

1. Cut your pumpkin in half.
2. Scoop out the seeds from the centre (you can dry these to preserve if needed).
3. Place the two cut sides face down, and cut each half into several segments, removing the stalk and the base.
4. Remove the pumpkin skin so that you are left with only the fleshy parts you want to freeze.
5. Place the pumpkin segments onto a tray covered with baking parchment, ensuring they don’t touch one another.
6. Put the tray into the freezer for a couple of hours until the pumpkin is fully frozen.
7. Remove the tray and transfer the pumpkin to a sealable freezer bag or airtight container.
8. Put your pumpkin back into the freezer and remove as many sections as you need for the recipe you are preparing.

How to freeze pumpkin pieces

Using the above method, you can freeze the fleshy parts of the pumpkin with ease. However, you might want to have small, bite-sized pieces in your freezer, ideal for making soups or salads. To achieve this, take each of the segments and dice them into cubes of roughly 2 cm before freezing them. Also, smaller pumpkin chunks will freeze quicker than larger segments.

How to freeze pumpkin whole

If you have the freezer space, there is nothing stopping you from freezing a whole pumpkin. However, you will have to wait 24 hours for a whole, frozen pumpkin to fully thaw out, so bear this in mind. To freeze a whole fruit, retain the stalk and base so that the inner flesh does not oxygenate prior to the drop in temperature. The skin should be retained as a natural outer layer of protection. Additionally, put the pumpkin into a plastic bag so that the fruit doesn’t get exposed to other foods in your freezer.

How to make pumpkin puree

Pumpkin puree freezes well, and making a puree is an ideal way to store pumpkin in a way that takes up as little space as possible. 

1. Peel and de-seed the pumpkin, leaving only the fleshy part.
2. Chop the pumpkin flesh into bite-sized pieces.
3. Place the diced pumpkin into a colander or steamer and place them over a pan of simmering water for 10 minutes.
4. If the pumpkin has softened after 10 minutes, remove it from the heat and place the pumpkin in a bowl. However, if the pumpkin is still hard, keep steaming for a few more minutes.
5. Mash the pumpkin to a pulp, retaining all the fluid so that it forms a rich puree. You can also use a food blender, but be sure not to overdo it since you want a thick puree, not pumpkin juice.

With your puree prepared and cooled, you can pour it into a sealable container for freezing or place it into an ice-cube tray for greater convenience.

The best pumpkin recipes

Take a look at this Mexican Goodness Bowl if you are after a tasty, low-calorie pumpkin dish. Or try a crowd-pleasing favourite, with this butternut squash mac and cheese.

FAQs

Can I freeze raw pumpkin?

Yes, you can freeze both raw and cooked pumpkin. Pumpkin preserves well when frozen, but raw pumpkin will lose some of its flavour and texture after three to four months. 

Should pumpkins be blanched before freezing?

Blanching pumpkin helps ensure that any microbes that might be present are removed. That’s why blanching is a great, if not essential, step in the freezing process.

Is a pumpkin still good if it freezes?

Yes, a frozen pumpkin will last several months with no noticeable drop in quality. Pureed pumpkin will last even longer when frozen. Once pumpkin has been frozen for longer than recommended, it doesn’t go off but merely starts to lose some taste and texture.

Can you preserve a pumpkin in a freezer?

Yes, you can preserve a whole pumpkin in the freezer with its skin on. However, because they are large and round, it is often advisable to freeze them in pieces.

How to store pumpkin for a long time?

Pumpkins can be stored for a long time without freezing them. Keep them in a cool, dark place with plenty of aeration — and away from other vegetables and fruit. After several months, you can freeze the pumpkins to preserve them for even longer.