Pumpkin Butter....

I posted on facebook yesterday that I was going to make some homemade pumpkin butter...and got several folks asking for my recipe and others asking what is it. So here it is....

I was inspired by all the Jack O Laterns I was throwing out and the raves about Trader Joe's pumpkin butter that I heard and how folks stocked up, because it was only out for a short season. And I thought...hmmmm. I bet I could MAKE pumpkin butter! Put it in cute little jars and give it as gifts...as well as stock up...so voila. Pumpkin butter is like apple butter, not quiet a jam and not a jelly...but a yummy spread for toast, bagels, muffins, cornbread or even a spoonful over ice cream. hmmmm.

There are many recipes out there, so you can experiment. One person skipped the sugar and used honey and maple syrup instead, for a slightly less sweet, maple taste. Experiment. It is so easy.

You can even just use pumpkin puree in the can for the urbanite that does not want to cook and puree pumpkin.

So here is the pumpkin puree instructions first, for those who don't want to use canned puree from the grocery store..

Ingredients/Instructions for Pumpkin Puree

1 medium pumpkin
cheesecloth (optional)

Directions
1*Cut the skin off the pumpkin.
2*Cut pumpkin into 1 or 2 inch cubes.
3*Place in casserole.
4Cook in 350°F degree oven for one hour.
5Pumpkin is done when it is soft and "mushy" when pressed with a fork.
6With hand blender or food processor, blend until smooth.
7To remove excess liquid, place pureed pumpkin in strainer or cheese cloth and allow to drip overnight.

And Pumpkin Butter:

Ingredients
1 (29 ounce) can pumpkin puree ( or 3 & 2/3 cups homemade puree)
3/4 cup apple juice
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

Combine pumpkin, apple juice, spices, and sugar in a large saucepan; stir well. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes or until thickened. Stir frequently.
Transfer to sterile containers and chill in the refrigerator until serving.