Pumpkin is a nutritious and versatile vegetable that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. While the terms “pure pumpkin” and “pumpkin puree” are sometimes used interchangeably, they refer to slightly different products.
What is pure pumpkin?
Pure pumpkin simply refers to 100% pumpkin with no added ingredients. It is made by cooking fresh pumpkin flesh until soft, then blending or mashing it to a smooth consistency. The resulting puree contains only pumpkin.
Pure pumpkin has a thicker, more fibrous texture than canned pumpkin puree. This is because the stringy pulp has not been sieved out. The flavor is also more intense and pumpkin-y. Pure pumpkin works well in recipes where you want a very pronounced pumpkin presence.
What is canned pumpkin puree?
Canned pumpkin puree is made from pumpkin flesh that has been cooked, blended, and sieved to remove the stringy bits and seeds. This yields a smoother, silkier texture than pure pumpkin.
Canned pumpkin puree may contain added ingredients like sugar, spices, and preservatives. Check the label for 100% pumpkin or pumpkin only. Plain canned pumpkin contains just cooked, sieved pumpkin.
The smoother, milder flavor of canned pumpkin puree makes it ideal for desserts, smoothies, and subtly pumpkin-spiced dishes. It incorporates more easily into recipes without affecting texture.
Nutrition comparison
Pure pumpkin and canned pumpkin puree have very similar nutrition when no ingredients have been added to the canned version. For example, a 1 cup serving of each provides:
| Nutrient | Pure pumpkin | Canned pumpkin puree |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 49 | 48 |
| Protein | 2 g | 2 g |
| Carbs | 12 g | 12 g |
| Fiber | 3 g | 3 g |
| Potassium | 531 mg | 553 mg |
| Vitamin A | 19710 IU | 19185 IU |
| Vitamin C | 12 mg | 11 mg |
As you can see, pure pumpkin and canned pumpkin puree are nearly identical in calories, macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Both are low calorie, high fiber foods that provide vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and more.
Taste and texture
The main difference between pure pumpkin and canned pumpkin puree is in the texture and flavor:
- Pure pumpkin has a thicker, chunkier texture with visible fibers from the pumpkin pulp.
- Canned pumpkin puree has a seamless, velvety smooth texture and consistency.
- Pure pumpkin tastes brighter, more intensely pumpkin flavored.
- Canned pumpkin has a more subtle, mildly sweet flavor.
So while both can provide that distinctive pumpkin taste, pure pumpkin makes it really stand out, while canned puree plays it down. The texture of canned puree also makes it more universally usable.
Storage
Pure pumpkin has a shorter shelf life than commercially canned goods. Fresh pure pumpkin should be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, or frozen for longer term storage. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Commercially canned pumpkin puree is shelf stable for 12-24 months, depending on the best by date printed on the can. Once opened it should be used within 5-7 days.
So canned puree has a big advantage in convenience thanks to its longer unopened shelf life. But pure pumpkin wins for freshness if using it soon after making a batch.
Uses
In what recipes should you use each?
Pure pumpkin shines when you really want that true pumpkin flavor. Use it for:
- Pumpkin pie filling
- Pumpkin butter
- Pumpkin soup
- Pumpkin chili
- Pumpkin pancakes or waffles
- Pumpkin lasagna
- Pumpkin cheesecake
Canned pumpkin puree works best when you want a smoother texture and milder flavor. It’s great for:
- Pumpkin bread or muffins
- Pumpkin pies
- Pumpkin smoothies
- Pumpkin cookies or bars
- Pumpkin oatmeal
- Pumpkin lattes
- Pumpkin mac and cheese
- Pumpkin pancake batter
Can you substitute pure pumpkin for canned pumpkin puree?
You can substitute freshly made pure pumpkin for canned pumpkin puree in most recipes. Keep a few things in mind:
- Add 1-2 tbsp extra liquid per 1 cup pure pumpkin to account for the thicker texture.
- Pure pumpkin may alter the texture slightly. Baked goods may be more dense.
- Recipes may take 5-10 minutes longer to bake since pure pumpkin holds more moisture.
- The pumpkin flavor will be more pronounced.
Also, make sure to account for any added spices, sugar, or other ingredients if using a recipe formulated for canned pumpkin. You may need to add these separately.
Can you substitute canned pumpkin for fresh pumpkin puree?
You can use canned pumpkin in place of homemade pure pumpkin in most recipes. Keep in mind:
- Canned pumpkin is thinner so you make need to reduce other liquids slightly.
- The pumpkin flavor will be more subtle.
- Texture may be slightly smoother and more uniform if the recipe relies on the fibrous nature of fresh pumpkin.
Overall, canned and fresh pumpkin puree are quite interchangeable if you account for the variances in flavor, moisture content, and texture.
Is one better than the other?
So is fresh pumpkin or canned pumpkin puree better? It depends on your needs:
- Fresh pumpkin puree is best if you want bright pumpkin flavor and a chunkier texture.
- Canned pumpkin puree is convenient, more subtle in flavor, and has a perfectly smooth texture.
Both canned and homemade pumpkin puree are nutritious options. Choose based on your taste preferences and how you want pumpkin to come through in a particular recipe.
Conclusion
While pure pumpkin and canned pumpkin puree are slightly different in texture and taste, they are nutritionally very similar. Both provide nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and fiber.
Pure pumpkin has a thicker, chunkier texture with more prominent pumpkin flavor. Canned pumpkin puree has a seamless, velvety texture and a mild subtly sweet flavor. Choose pure pumpkin when you want an intense hit of pumpkin. Go for canned when you want a smoother consistency and delicate pumpkin presence.
In most recipes, pure pumpkin and canned pumpkin can be used interchangeably by accounting for differences in moisture content and spice additions. Allow for variances in texture and flavor intensity.
So while the terms “pure pumpkin” and “pumpkin puree” are sometimes used interchangeably, they technically refer to different forms of mashed pumpkin. Both can add nutrition, color, and flavor to your favorite pumpkin recipes.
Knowing whether your recipe depends more on texture or flavor intensity will guide you in choosing between fresh pureed pumpkin or convenient canned pumpkin puree.
With their similar nutrition and easy substitutability, you really can’t go wrong with either canned or homemade pumpkin puree. Let your taste preferences and needs guide you.