I don't really know what's going on. Wish I could tell you but all I know is I went to the local grocery store to get some canned pumpkin to make a pumpkin roll and I couldn't find any. I couldn't even find the spot on the shelves where pumpkin should have been. It was completely gone. I asked an employee if they had the pumpkin hiding somewhere, she laughed nervously, backed away and told me they "wouldn't have any this year". "There's a pumpkin shortage this year haven't you heard?" Uh yeah I heard but when there is a pumpkin shortage EVERY year you ignore it. It's like the boy who cried wolf, except it's the industry crying shortage. I almost cried right then and there because I had promised (never do this) a pumpkin roll for a class birthday cake. Failure was looming up in front of me, even worse, food blogger failure.
Have no fear my friends, I have the solution. Frozen pureed squash? Pumpkin! Or at least it is winter squash and so is pumpkin. I was in desperation mode looking for frozen pumpkin chunks when I spied the squash and realized it was practically the same thing. If you are going to use it as pumpkin simply let it thaw and drain it through a couple of coffee filters fitted in a mesh strainer. You just want to remove as much water as possible to match up the canned pumpkin consistency. The you can use it pretty much the same way you use canned pumpkin.
Sure there may be a pumpkin shortage but when was the last time you heard of a frozen squash shortage? Exactly! So while others may be gnashing their teeth this Thanksgiving you can all rest assured knowing that your pies will march on and no grocery store clerks will be hurt.
Peace and Love--
1 comments, thoughts, ideas, random words or haikus:
Keep an eye out for pumpkin, even though they say they aren't going to have any. They told me that last year too, and sure enough early November, they had cans of pumpkin. I remember being shocked because I never remember canned pumpkin being a seasonal product, but it seems to be one now (go figure). Wish I had known of your plight, I have a big can of pumpkin in the pantry.
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