For starters, activities like apple and pumpkin picking are in full swing.
However, you might actually harvest your own for cooking, too.
Read on to see what professional chefs have to say about the secrets of choosing the best pumpkin.
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Know the varieties.
“Edible pumpkins are part of theCucurbitaceae family.”
Size mattersthe smaller the better.
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You then end up carrying the pumpkins and feel like you justlifted weightsat the gym.
“Cooking time will also be shorter.”
There are also types of pumpkins that make for better cooking because of their size.
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“This pop in has more flesh on the inside and fewer seeds and is not as stringy.”
Watch for bruises and rotting.
“Let’s be honest, many of these pumpkin patches have pretty huge footfalls.
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So, check for bruising visually, and ensure the entirety of the outer shell is hard.”
Scratch your fingernail onto the pumpkin.
“Check your pumpkin for blemishes such as nicks, cuts, and scars,” says Chef Shuman.
“These rarely affect the taste of the interior flesh,” she says.
peek if it’s hollow.
You know that classic saying, “it’s what’s on the inside that counts?”
If you hear an echoing, hollow sound, it’s a good one.
The louder the sound, the better the pumpkin."
Note the stem.
You’re not going to bite off the stem and eat it like it’s a piece of jerky.
Check out the color.
When you envision a pumpkin, the first color you probably think of is orange.
But if you’re able to’t find that perfect deep orange pumpkin, don’t panic!
As long as you’re in the color scheme, your pumpkin should still be good to go.
That’s because pumpkins continue to ripen as they sit out, according to Chef-instructor Roszkowski.
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Use your nose.
“A ripe pumpkin should smell sweet and profoundly ‘pumpkin-y.’
No smell equals no flavor!”
Tip for at home: Don’t let your pumpkin spoil.
You finally got your pumpkin from the patch!
The last thing you want to do now is let itgo to waste.
“Some pumpkins spoil faster than others,” warns Chef-instructor Roszkowski.
“Do not leave it on your porch for weeks before cooking for best results.”
