For all of you, pumpkin lovers and waste-haters, a solution for all of the leftovers of Fall's favorite fruit.
Frozen Pumpkin Cubes.
This is for the pumpkin puree ( either homemade or the store-bought ), not a pie filling. There are no spices added, which makes it great for savory and sweet dishes. Simply fill the ice cube tray with leftover pumpkin, freeze it and store the cubes in a ziploc bag. They will be ready whenever you need them. Add a boost of Vitamin A and beta-carotene to your meals and drinks everyday this season.
Here is a list of 10 ways to use frozen pumpkin cubes:
1. Add to your morning smoothies. Add a cube or two with the rest of ingredients and whip it up!
2. Make a homemade pumpkin latte. Like this one.
3. Add to your standard mac and cheese. Add few cubes to the ready sauce and let melt. Stir until smooth and add to pasta.
4. Add to meatballs. Defrost three cubes per 1/2 lb of ground meat.
5. Stir into your morning oatmeal. Use frozen before cooking your oatmeal or stir in defrosted.
6. Make this granola.
7. Add to chili. No need to even defrost the cubes. Simply add with the rest of ingredients and cook in a slow cooker.
8. Add to pasta sauce. See nr.3.
9. Add to pancake or waffle batter. Defrost two or three cubes and stir into your batter.
10. Spread over crepes. Mix defrosted pumpkin with brown sugar, allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon with few tablespoons of softened cream cheese and spread over fresh batch of crepes.
Are you enjoying pumpkin this season?
xoxo,
Anna
Victoria Haneveer says
Pumpkin mash is also nice, just warm the pumpkin in a pan until it's hot then mash in a little butter or sour cream. Lower in carbs than mashed potatoes. Else you could do half pumpkin half potatoes. Yum!
Steph says
Hi there! I tried doing this last fall with leftover Libby's Pure Pumpkin, but for some odd reason the freezer totally changed the texture of the pumpkin and not in a good way. it kind of became spongy after the thawing process...I ended up mixing it into my oatmeal because I was worried it would affect baked goods.
It seems like you didn't have this problem at all- did you use homemade puree? I'd love to get your insight...I'm putting off opening this year's 29 oz. can of pumpkin for this exact reason! I don't want wasted leftovers 🙁
CrunchyCreamySw says
Hi Steph! Yes, I used homemade pumpkin puree. The cubes are about a tablespoon portions, perfect for the ideas on the list. I have not used them in baked goods so I can't say if it affects the finished product or not. Also, I know that homemade puree tends to have more water in it than canned store-bought pumpkin, although it is recommended to strain it before using. Hope that helps! Thank you so much for your question!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
LOVE this idea! And I can't live without pumpkin! This way, I get to enjoy it all year around 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
Right? I wish I have done it last year. 🙂 Thanks, Kiran!
Ella-Home Cooking Adventure says
I really love this idea. I do freeze leftover pumpkin, but just put it in an airtight container until I think of something to use it, muffins, or cake. Wouldn't have come to my mind so many options.
CrunchyCreamySw says
I tried all of the ideas and just had to share them here. I am so happy you like it! Thank you, Ella!
Georgia says
You're such a smart cookie! I love this idea!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, sweet Georgia!
Whitney @ The Newlywed Chefs says
This is SUCH a great idea! I always feel bad throwing out unused pumpkin at the end of the season and this is a great way to reuse it! Yum. Thanks for the post!
CrunchyCreamySw says
I am so glad you find it helpful, Whitney! Thank you so much!
Sally says
I seriously LOVE this idea! So clever. I would put them into my iced coffee for an autumn spiced treat 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
Yes! That sounds perfect! Thanks, Sally!
wearenotmartha says
Ridiculously good ida that could potentially change my life 🙂 I'm serious, though!
Sues
CrunchyCreamySw says
I'm so glad you like it! Thank you, Sues!
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says
This is SUCH a good idea Anna! Thanks for sharing!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you so much, Amanda!
Words Of Deliciousness says
I love this idea of the frozen pumpkin cubes and the ideas on how to use them.
CrunchyCreamySw says
thanks, Dawn!
domesticfits says
This is brilliant. And I can't believe I haven't thought of it 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Jackie!
Greg Henry says
You could also build an orange igloo! GREG
CrunchyCreamySw says
And what a fun igloo would it be!! 🙂 Thanks, Greg!
Anne@FromMySweetHeart says
Oh my gosh Anna...what a fabulous idea! I can't tell you how many times I've had a little bit of pumpkin leftover! And some fabulous ideas about how to use it too! Now you've got my mind thinking about other things I can freeze into cubes! You are so clever! : )
CrunchyCreamySw says
I'm so glad it will come in handy, my friend! xoxo
Pam Thurow says
Way to go, Anna! Thanks for the great tips! I will be freezing the pumpkin now.
CrunchyCreamySw says
Yay! Thank you, sweet Pam!
Danielle says
Great ideas, Anna! Thank you! A pumpkin latte sounds divine. And also adding to mac & cheese! Yum! I am loving pumpkin season too : ) xo
Danielle
CrunchyCreamySw says
I'm so glad you like it, Danielle! Thank you!
justonecookbook says
I haven't made puree and freeze in ice cubes since I was done with feeding my babies! This is a great idea indeed. I still have lots of ice cubes from those days that I can utilize. 😀 Have a wonderful weekend Anna~!
CrunchyCreamySw says
I am so glad you like the idea, Nami! Have a fabulous weekend!
Anna @ Hidden Ponies says
Love this! Now I won't be madly baking (and eating) every pumpkin recipe I have when I open a can of pumpkin for one little recipe 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
I hear ya, sweet Anna 🙂 Thank you!
Dara Michalski says
What a fantastic idea! I especially like the idea of adding these to pasta sauce.
CrunchyCreamySw says
My kids loved the pasta sauce with pumpkin! Thank you for stopping by, Dara!
araka zaphania says
quite fantastic idea!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you!
Angie says
I freeze pumpkin puree too, but never thought of freezing them in cubes (did with herbs/olive oil though). A fantastic idea, Anna.
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Angie! I freeze herbs too!
OishiiTreats says
Great way to use pumpkin, I like all the clever ideas to incorporate the ice cubes.
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you!
susan says
I love my freezer and freeze almost everything. I just made pumpkin muffins this am for breakfast and I do have leftovers...freezing it, I will do!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Yay! Thank you so much, Susan! PS: Pumpkin muffins sound great!
the wicked noodle says
This is the most awesome post!! What a great idea. Off to pin and tweet!!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Yay! Thank you, sweet Kristy!
The Café Sucré Farine says
This is a super duper idea and I love all your suggestions for using them, thanks Anna!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Chris!
curryandcomfort says
Great tips my dear!! I am stocked up with cans of pureed pumpkin (after a big sale) and I can use these tips to finish them up as well. 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, my friend!