How to Cut a Pumpkin

Pumpkin cut in half on a cutting board with knife

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Learn How to Cut a Pumpkin quickly and easily with this step by step instructions! Includes how to cut a pumpkin in half, remove the seeds, peel it and cut into wedges or cubes to use in your recipes!

Prep Time15

Cook Time0

Total Time15

Course: Cooking Techniques and Tips

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 44kcal

Author: Marcie

Equipment

Boos Block Cutting Board

Ingredients

2 1/2 - 3 lbs. sugar pumpkin or your favorite variety

Instructions

Stand the pumpkin upright on a cutting board. Cut lengthwise from the stem down on one side, then repeat on the other side. Turn the pumpkin on its side and cut through the top of the stem, then crack the pumpkin open (use the knife to cut through the bottom as needed).
2 1/2 - 3 lbs. sugar pumpkin
Use the tip of a large spoon to scrape the stringy insides out of the pumpkin and remove the seeds (be sure to save the seeds to make roasted pumpkin seeds!). You can stop here and roast the halves, or continue on to cut the pumpkin into wedges or cubes.
Place the pumpkin halves cut-side down on a cutting board and cut off the stems and the bottoms. Stand the pumpkin halves upright and remove the peel by carefully cutting from top to bottom. You can also choose to remove the peels once you've cut the pumpkin into wedges or cubes...this is just a bit more tedious. Place the pumpkin halves cut side down on a cutting board once again and cut into wedges, then cut the wedges into cubes.
The pumpkin is now ready to be cooked and used in your recipes. Enjoy!

Notes

Pro tip: Microwave your whole pumpkin for 2-3 minutes at high power to soften it. This makes cutting it so much easier!
Once cut, the pumpkin can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wedges and cubes can be frozen for up to 3 months.
2 1/2 lbs. sugar pumpkin yields roughly 4 cups cooked puree and 4 1/2 cups cubed pumpkin.
Sub the sugar pumpkin with kabocha squash, red kuri squash or your favorite variety of pumpkin.
Be sure to reserve the seeds for roasted pumpkin seeds!

Nutrition