Do you roast pumpkins skin up or down?

For our roasted pumpkin recipe, we place the halved pumpkins face down and skin side up.

Do you peel pumpkin before baking?

When we are roasting whole halved pumpkins we do not peel them, just as we would not peel half a butternut or acorn squash for roasting. But if we are roasting cubes of pumpkin, then we would peel the pumpkin before cutting it into cubes to roast.

What part of the pumpkin is not edible?

Generally, every part of the pumpkin, except for the stalk, will be edible. Pumpkin seeds can be roasted for a snack . Pumpkin skin is safe to eat but not always tempting; some pumpkins have thick skin which is less appetizing. Larger, more decorative pumpkins generally have less flavorful flesh that does not cook as well. They are safe to consume, but not as good for cooking.

Roasted Pumpkin Recipe (With Step by Step)

Easy Roasted Pumpkin

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Our easy recipe makes a great side, or serves as the beginning of your favorite roasted pumpkin recipe.

Martha Stewart

Updated on November 27, 2023

Roasted half pumpkins — Photo:
Rachel Marek

Servings:

Roasted pumpkin is easy to make and versatile to use. Simply halve a pie pumpkin, scoop out the seeds, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper, then roast face down on a baking sheet. The pumpkin halves roast in less time than butternut squash, and roasting brings out the sweetness of the pumpkin flesh. Serve a half pumpkin to eat out of the shell, or cut it into slices for a side dish. Alternatively, puree the flesh to make pumpkin puree for soups, pasta sauces, pumpkin pie, and more

The Best Pumpkins for Roasting

When it comes to roasting, some pumpkins are much better than others. Generally, large showy pumpkins that make great porch decor or jack-o'-lanterns are not the best candidates for roasting—they are large and unwieldy and their flesh is often tough and not so tasty.

The best pumpkins for roasting are smaller, weighing between 2 and 6 pounds. They're sold as pie pumpkins or sugar pumpkins because they are best for culinary use. They have sweet, flavorful flesh that's smooth.

Ways to Use Roasted Pumpkin

Roasted pumpkin makes a great side dish cut into slices, or cut the cooked flesh into cubes to use in a pasta or a winter salad. Alternatively, you can use your roasted pumpkin in any recipe that calls for fresh pumpkin puree: Simply scrape the roasted flesh out of the shell and whiz in your food processor or high-speed blender to make a puree for recipes such as:

Microwave Variation

Need a shortcut? Try this quick fix:

Place a pumpkin half, cut side down, on a plate and microwave it on high for about 15 minutes, checking occasionally. (The exact time needed will vary with size.)

You'll have sweet, softened flesh for a fresh pumpkin puree in a third of the time.

Ingredients

1 small pumpkin (such as sugar)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Roasted pumpkin ingredients — Rachel Marek

Preheat oven and prep pumpkin:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut pumpkin in half; scrape out seeds.

Rachel Marek

Drizzle pumpkin with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. (Omit pepper if using in sweet dishes.)

Rachel Marek

Place cut side down on a baking sheet. Roast until very soft, about 35 to 45 minutes.

Rachel Marek

Storing

Store the roasted pumpkin (whether halves or purée) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you roast pumpkins skin up or down?
  
  For our roasted pumpkin recipe, we place the halved pumpkins face down and skin side up.
- Do you peel pumpkin before baking?
  
  When we are roasting whole halved pumpkins we do not peel them, just as we would not peel half a butternut or acorn squash for roasting. But if we are roasting cubes of pumpkin, then we would peel the pumpkin before cutting it into cubes to roast.
- What part of the pumpkin is not edible?
  
  Generally, every part of the pumpkin, except for the stalk, will be edible. Pumpkin seeds can be roasted for a snack. Pumpkin skin is safe to eat but not always tempting; some pumpkins have thick skin which is less appetizing. Larger, more decorative pumpkins generally have less flavorful flesh that does not cook as well. They are safe to consume, but not as good for cooking.