In recent years, however, the USDA warns against canning pumpkin (and other squash varieties) due to the low acid content of the vegetable. Years ago, many families prepared and canned their own pumpkin butter. Packed neatly into a glass mason jar, pumpkin butter makes a lovely gift as well. You may also like it scooped on top of some freshly baked waffles, or even mixed into a dish of plain yogurt. Or, try a spoonful of Pumpkin Butter stirred into some hot oatmeal for a delicious diversion. Pumpkin purée, brown sugar and pie spices thicken up and colors darken as they cook into a “shmearable” substance, just right for a slice of hearty toasted bread.
It’s “butter” only in the sense that it is spreadable.
Make your own flavorful purée by roasting or steaming fresh pumpkins, or use a pre-packaged can for a quick, easy delight. Before we let go of autumn and plunge into winter’s chilly arms, why don’t we briefly revisit the harvest with some old-fashioned, homey Pumpkin Butter? A jar of this sweet spread is a time capsule that will bring you back to days past as you enjoy its cozy, pumpkin pie flavors.