Are Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkins Good for Pies? Solved

Last Updated on September 16, 2024 by Shari Mason

The charm of pumpkins can’t be beat! Each fall, they grace our porch steps, carved into grinning Jack-O-Lanterns, their faces glowing with candlelight.

But post-Halloween, you might wonder: Can these gourd-like squashes transition from porch decor to pie filling? Are Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins good for pies?

After all, a pumpkin is a pumpkin, right? Well, before you grab that carving knife, let’s dive into the pie-worthy potential of our Jack-O-Lantern friends. Your taste buds (and pumpkin pie cravings) will thank you.

Can You Use A Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin For Pie?

While you can technically use a jack-o-lantern pumpkin for pie, there are better choices than this one. Jack-o-lantern pumpkins are bred for size and durability, not flavor or texture. 

They are more watery and less sweet than the smaller pie pumpkins. If you want a richer, more flavorful pie, it’s recommended to use pie pumpkins [1] or sugar pumpkins. 

“ Most of America’s refrigerators have leftover pumpkin pie on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It’s delicious the first couple of times you eat it, but then what?”

– Steve Doocy, American Television Host

However, if you find a leftover carved pumpkin, you can still use it in recipes; just be prepared for a milder taste.

Read:

• Is Canned Pumpkin The Same As Pumpkin Pie Mix?
• What Is The Best Pumpkin For Pie Filling?
• What Kind Of Pumpkin Does Costco Use In Their Pies?
• Why Is Pumpkin Pie So Popular At Thanksgiving?
• How To Keep Pumpkin Pie From Cracking?

What’s The Difference Between Jack-O-Lantern & Pie Pumpkins?

At a casual glance, all pumpkins are similar. However, regarding their culinary uses and characteristics, there’s a difference between jack-o-lantern pumpkins and pie pumpkins.

1. Purpose:
   • Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkins: Primarily bred for decoration, especially for carving during Halloween. They’re larger, with a sturdy structure suitable for intricate designs.
   • Pie Pumpkins: Also known as sugar pumpkins [2], they’re explicitly grown for consumption. Their smaller size makes them ideal for cooking and baking.
2. Flavor and Texture:
   • Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkins: Generally more watery with a grainier texture. The flavor is often blandered, lacking the sweetness and richness desired in dishes.
   • Pie Pumpkins: These have smooth, dense flesh that is naturally sweeter and less fibrous. When cooked, this results in a creamy texture, perfect for pies and other recipes.
3. Size and Appearance:
   • Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkins: Typically larger, ranging from 10 to 30 pounds or even more. They often have a thinner flesh wall with a larger hollow cavity inside, making them easier to carve.
   • Pie Pumpkins: Smaller, usually between 2 to 8 pounds. They have a more rounded and compact appearance with thicker flesh relative to their size.
4. Shelf Life:
   • Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkins: Due to their thinner walls, once carved, they tend to degrade faster, especially if left outdoors.
   • Pie Pumpkins: Their denser flesh gives them a slightly longer shelf life when stored in cool, dry conditions.

Find out how to make pumpkin puree without an oven here.

Are There Any Benefits To Using Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkins In Pies?

1. Abundance and Accessibility: Jack-o’-lantern pumpkins are everywhere during Halloween, making them easy to find and often more affordable than specialty pie pumpkins.
2. Larger Yields: Given their size, one jack-o’-lantern pumpkin can offer much flesh, potentially enough for multiple pies or other dishes.
3. Less Waste: If you’ve carved a pumpkin for decoration and want to utilize all parts of it post-Halloween, using the scooped-out flesh for pies ensures you get the most out of your purchase.
4. Mild Flavor: Their milder flavor can be advantageous if you want to experiment with spices and flavors in your pie, allowing other ingredients to shine.
5. Texture Variation: If you prefer a pie with a slightly grainier texture to the traditional creamy pie, jack-o’-lantern pumpkins can offer that variation.
6. Educational Opportunity: Using jack-o’-lantern pumpkins for pies can be a fun way to teach kids about utilizing resources fully and trying out new culinary experiments.
7. Conversation Starter: Serving a pie made from a jack-o’-lantern pumpkin can be a unique talking point at gatherings, adding a twist to the traditional pie narrative.

“While jack-o-lanterns light up the night, it’s the humble pie pumpkin that truly warms our taste buds come dinner time.”

– Eat Pallet Restaurant & Food Advice

Read: What To Do With Leftover Sweet Potato Pie Filling?

What’s The Best Way To Use A Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin In A Pie?

To best utilize a jack-o’-lantern pumpkin in a pie, first, ensure the pumpkin is fresh and free of any signs of rot. Remove any candle wax or residue from the inside if it is used for decoration. 

Cut the pumpkin into sections, discarding the stem, and scrape away seeds and stringy pulp. Roast these sections in the oven until the flesh is soft and easily pierced with a fork. 

Once roasted, scoop out the softened pumpkin flesh and puree it in a food processor until smooth. Depending on the moisture content, you might strain the puree through a cheesecloth to achieve the desired consistency. 

This puree can be used as a substitute for canned pumpkin in pie recipes, considering that flavor and texture differ slightly from traditional pie pumpkins. Adjust spices and sweetness as needed to suit your taste.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

While jack-o’-lantern pumpkins can be used for pies, there are better choices due to their watery texture and milder flavor. 

Pie pumpkins, also known as sugar pumpkins, are cultivated explicitly for their sweeter taste and firmer texture, making them more suitable for baking. 

Opting for pie pumpkins is recommended if one is aiming for the best pie results. However, if you want to utilize leftover jack-o’-lantern pumpkins, they can still be incorporated into recipes with some modifications.

References:

1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/279610
2. https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-are-sugar-pumpkins-5198258