Pumpkin Baby Food - Age for Introduction: 6-8 months
Please be aware that the current recommendations for introducing solid foods are 6 months old!

The Goodness of Pumpkin:

Pumpkins contain some of the best nutritional compounds ever. They are highly loaded with Vitamin A and beta carotene. Beta Carotene is one of the plant carotenoids that when eaten and digested, turns into Vitamin A in the human body!

Beta Carotene may reduce the risk of cancer as well as heart disease. It also may be responsible for combating or putting off the degenerative effects of ageing. Pumpkins are also good sources of potassium, protein, and iron. Pumpkin seeds also contain a good amount of protein and iron so eating the seeds does provide some nutritive value. Pumpkins are wonderfully low in fat, low in calories but high in fiber!

PUMPKIN: (one cup - cooked)

VITMAINS:
Vitamin A - 12230 IU
Vitamin C - 11.5 mg
Vitamin K - 2.0
Folate (important during pregnancy) - 22 mcg
Niacin - 1.01 mg


MINERALS:
Potassium - 364 mg
Phosphorus - 74 mg
Magnesium - 22 mg
Calcium - 37 mg
Sodium - 2 mg
Iron - 1.40 mg
Also contains trace amounts of zinc, manganese and copper.

When can my Baby eat pumpkin?

Babies may begin to eat Pumpkins anywhere after 7 (seven) months old. You may feed your baby in plain pumpkin in pureed form alone or mixed into cereals, yogurts, and even in meats such as chicken. Adding a dash of cinnamon to pumpkin gives baby a first exposure to the wonder of spices.

You may also bake pumpkin as you would a butternut or acorn squash and serve the baked pumpkin in small dices as Baby Finger Foods. Rub a wee bit of butter and a bit of cinnamon on the inside of the pumpkin prior to baking for a tasty nutritious treat!

Choosing a Pumpkin to cook for Homemade Baby Food

If you will be using Pumpkins in food dishes, look for smaller, immature pumpkins - sometimes these "cooking pumpkins" are labeled as "sugar pumpkins". The smaller, sugar pumpkins provide the most flavorful additions to any baked dish or baked good and are great as a soup! These smaller pumpkins are more tender and less stringy than the larger variety. Try to find a pumpkin anywhere between five to eight pounds.


How do I cook a Pumpkin?

Pumpkins may be poached, boiled, steamed or baked. Please be aware that Pumpkins tend to loose their nutritive value with prolonged cooking. A Pumpkin must be cooked immediately after you have cut it open or you will find a brownish-blackish mold begin to immediately set into the flesh. Once cooked, Pumpkin should be used and/or chilled immediately. If you will not be using the cooked pumpkin immediately, store it either purred or in the cooked chunks, in the freezer. it does freeze well! The cooked pumpkin will turn a brownish orange so don't be alarmed when you peak into the bowl and find that colour. Baking pumpkins, like many other fruits/squashes may be the best choice of cooking for optimal flavor and nutrient retention!

Basic Recipes:

Pumpkin Puree

1 sugar pumpkin
water
cinnamon, nutmeg (optional - sprinkle into the cooking water or when you puree/mash)

Pumpkin is best when baked! Bake a pumpkin exactly as you would bake a winter (Acorn, Butternut etc.) squash! Pumpkin is afterall a squash!

1. Halve the pumpkin, de-seed
2. Place halves face down in a baking pan with approx 1-2 inches of water
3. Bake between 375-425 F for approximately 40 minutes
Skin should be "puckery" and/or wrinkled and pumpkin should feel soft
4, Scrape out the pumpkin "meat" and then mash or puree as needed for your baby!

**Pumpkin is very watery so baking is the best method - you may peel, de-seed and steam chunks of you prefer**

You may use canned pumpkin for baby food.  Ensure that you purchase canned pure pumpkin and NOT "Pumpkin Pie" mix.  The Pumpkin Pie mix contains sugars, starches and other additives.  

(17 October 2006) We recently peeled back the label on a can of 100% pure pumpkin (Libby's brand) and found this interesting information:

CAN I EAT WITHOUT COOKING?

Libby's 100% pure pumpkin is thoroughly cooked during the canning process so it is perfectly safe and acceptable to enjoy straight from the can. 

ONCE OPENED, CAN I FREEZE, HOW TO STORE, HOW LONG DOES THE PUMPKIN LAST

Pumpkin may be stored in a sealed plastic container for 1 week in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.  When freezing, allow for headspace at the top of the container as the pumpkin may expand when frozen.  Pumpkin may have a separated appearance when thawed due to air bubbles.  This will not affect the pumpkin quality or performance

BAKED PUMPKIN SLICES

• halve a sugar pumpkin then cut into slices as you would a melon

• pat slices with a wee bit of butter (or olive oil if you prefer) then place slices on a greased (olive oil) baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with water

• drizzle with pure maple syrup or sprinkle slices with brown sugar (if desired) and then sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg and a pinch of ginger.

• We like to mix these spices together first for an even mix so that no one spice overpowers the other.

Creamy Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients:
16 ounces Pumpkin (canned or fresh pureed)
13.75 ounces Chicken Broth or Homemade Stock
1 Large Onion
2 Carrots (Wheels or Diced)
2 cups half and half or evaporated milk (sub. with yogurt if desired)
1/4 cup Sour Cream (optional)
1/8 teaspoon Pepper
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
Dash of Nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/3 teaspoon( or less) Salt

Preparation Directions:

1. In a large pot add, chicken broth, onions, carrot, baking soda, salt and pepper.
2. Simmer uncovered for ten to fifteen minutes until carrots are soft.
Optional: Put vegetable and broth into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Return to pot.
3. Add pumpkin and half and half or yogurt. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
Pour into soup crocks or soup bowls. Top with sour cream (optional)

AUTUMN SMOOTHIE

1/2 cup plain, vanilla or banana yogurt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
dash of ginger
1 frozen banana

Combine in a blender. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately.
Serves one grown-up and one baby.

Banana Pumpkin Smoothie

Ingredients:
1-cup milk or plain yogurt
2 tablespoons canned pumpkin
(or homemade puree pumpkin)
1 banana
dash of cinnamon (8+months old)

Directions:
Blend in blender until smooth and foamy.
Serve immediately.

Foods Good to Mix With Pumpkin:

Apples
Bananas
Blueberries
Peaches
Carrots
Butternut or Acorn Squash
Sweet Potato
Brown Rice
Lentils
Chicken
Yogurt

Visit our Combinations page to see more Homemade Baby Food Combination Ideas