How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Jam

We love Fall desserts! If you made our Instant Pot Pumpkin Butter last year we have pumpkin jam made on the stove top for you this time. Thick and sweet spread on toast with the nutmeg cinnamon flavors you love, it’s a Thanksgiving treat we love.

Pumpkin Jam Recipe

Seriously, once you get the hang of how to cut the rind off the flesh can be cooked in so many ways, and it’s delicious. Beyond this we have made Roasted Air Fryer Pumpkin as a side dish and OMG you’ve gotta’ try that one too. And do NOT ever ever throw away the seeds, they are little specks of gold.

There are several ways to make the insides the perfect nutritious crunchy snack but Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds are where it’s at in our house. The best and fastest way to transform them into slimy bits into the favoritest thing ever to enjoy at Halloween time.

How Do You Cut a Whole Pumpkin

Select a fresh one that is firm, heavy for its size, and free from bruises or blemishes. Sugar pumpkins, also known as pie pumpkins, are often preferred for their sweeter and smoother flesh. Rinse the outside thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris from the surface.

1. Place a clean cutting board on a stable surface. Make sure your work area is well-lit and uncluttered.
2. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut off the top and bottom of the pumpkin. This will create flat surfaces that make it easier to work with.
3. Stand it upright on one of the flat ends. Starting from the top, carefully slice it in half vertically, from top to bottom. This will create two halves
4. Use a large spoon or an ice cream scoop to scoop out the seeds and any stringy pulp from the center of each half. This is How to Clean Pumpkin Seeds.
5. You can save or this is How Long to Bake Pumpkin Seeds at 350 to delicious.
6. Depending on your recipe and personal preference, you typically will want to peel the outside rind before dicing it.
   • To peel it, use a vegetable peeler or a knife to remove the skin.
7. Slice into strips and then dice those into cubes. The size can vary based on your recipe; typically, 1/2-inch to 1-inch cubes work well.
8. Follow the same dicing process for the other pumpkin half.

Now that you have diced fresh pumpkin, you’re ready to incorporate it into your favorite recipes, whether it’s for a hearty soup, a flavorful stew, or a delicious roasted side dish. Enjoy your pumpkin culinary adventures!

Pumpkin Spread

Now when this is done we never finish the whole batch. I mean I guess if you were hosting Christmas brunch you may not have any left but if not you’ll need 1-2 mason jars with lids. This makes about 3 cups or so if you didn’t eat any right away to keep that in mind as far as what size you’ll want. I like 2 of the smaller ones.

• 2 c pumpkin freshly diced, canned pumpkin pie filling or puree could be used
  • this was made on stovetop but you could cook pumpkin in Instant Pot and scoop the flesh out too
• Water or apple cider, less if you want it thicker
• Brown sugar
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch nutmeg
• Ground cloves
• Pumpkin spice, a pinch is optional

Like our Huckleberry Jam I give you a range of liquid above and in the printable recipe card below because some like their creations really thick and others more like jelly. Just adjust as you mix with your blender or with your immersion blender right in the pot itself to smooth.

Now if you wanted to make this as Instant Pot Jam you could. It would only take 1-2 minutes under high pressure to break down and then you blend right in that pot too.

Pumpkin Butter with Fresh Pumpkin

Using a pot on the stove you will follow these directions though. I have used apple cider instead of water since that has a lot of Fall flavors already and that was a fun surprise. Apple juice would work too. Or just go for agua to thin it out, or half and half…..

• Combine all the ingredients (start with 1/2 cup liquid) in a pan over medium high heat.
• Allow to come to a boil and then reduce to medium stirring frequently to soften the fresh pumpkin.
  • If using canned pumpkin puree this won’t take as long but you do want to heat long enough for sugar to dissolve.
• Heat about 10-15 minutes until pumpkin is very tender and sugars dissolved. Remove from heat.
• Use an immersion blender to make as smooth as you’d like it to be.
• Slowly add a bit of the additional 1/4 cup liquid if you want to thin it out.
• Enjoy warm on Honey Biscuits or allow to cool to room temperature for about 30 minutes before adding it into jars with lids

How long can homemade pumpkin puree last in the fridge? 7 days if sealed well with an airtight lid in a jar. Jump to recipe and try this and then move on to our other delicious pumpkin recipes listed in this post.

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