Roasting Long Island Cheese Pumpkins: A Step-By-Step Guide

The Long Island Cheese Pumpkin is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. This pumpkin variety, known for its unique shape and flavour, is making a comeback in kitchens after years of being used primarily for decoration. Roasting this pumpkin is a simple process that can add a sweet and earthy taste to your recipes.

How to prepare the pumpkin for roasting

Preparing a Long Island Cheese Pumpkin for roasting is a simple process, but it does require some care and attention. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, preheat your oven to 400°F. This is a higher temperature than the standard 350°F, but it is necessary to ensure even cooking and browning. While the oven is heating up, you can begin preparing the pumpkin.

Using a large, sharp knife, cut the pumpkin in half. Be very careful during this step, as pumpkins can be difficult to cut through and you want to avoid any accidents. Once you have two halves, cut each half into two pieces, so you are left with four pieces in total.

Next, you will need to remove the seeds. You can do this with your hands or a spoon, scooping out the seeds and stringy fibres from the centre of the pumpkin. Be sure to save the seeds if you want to roast them later—they make a delicious, crunchy snack!

Now, you will need to season the pumpkin. You can use kosher salt or regular salt, whichever you prefer. Liberally sprinkle the salt over the flesh of the pumpkin. You can also add other seasonings, such as black pepper, thyme, or cinnamon, if you want to enhance the flavour.

Place the pumpkin pieces on a baking sheet, flesh-side down. It is recommended to line the sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper to prevent the pumpkin from sticking and make cleanup easier, as the sugars in the pumpkin can burn onto the pan.

Using a knife or fork, poke some holes in the skin of the pumpkin to allow steam to escape during roasting. This will prevent the pumpkin from becoming soggy and will help it cook evenly.

At this point, your oven should be preheated, so you can place the baking sheet on the middle rack and roast the pumpkin for 30 to 45 minutes. The timing will depend on the size of your pumpkin, so it is a good idea to start checking for doneness around the 30-minute mark. The pumpkin is done when it is fork-tender.

Once the pumpkin is roasted to perfection, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool. This step is important, as it will make it easier to handle and prevent burns. After it has cooled, you can scoop out the flesh from the skin. Now, your roasted Long Island Cheese Pumpkin is ready to be used in various recipes or simply enjoyed as it is!

Oven temperature and cooking time

Roasting a Long Island Cheese Pumpkin involves a few simple steps. The first step is to preheat your oven to 400°F. While the oven is heating up, cut the pumpkin into halves or quarters, and remove the seeds—you can save these to roast later. Next, liberally season the pumpkin flesh with kosher salt or another seasoning of your choice. Place the pumpkin pieces on a baking sheet, flesh-side down. Using a knife or fork, poke holes in the pumpkin to allow steam to escape.

Place the pumpkin in the oven and roast for 30-45 minutes, until the pumpkin is fork-tender. The cooking time will depend on the size of your pumpkin, so start checking on it after 30 minutes. Once done, remove the pumpkin from the oven and let it cool before scooping out the flesh. You can then use the pumpkin flesh in a variety of recipes.

How to roast the seeds

Roasting the seeds of a Long Island Cheese Pumpkin is a great way to make a tasty snack, and it's simple to do. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Remove the Seeds

Use a large spoon or ice cream scoop to remove the seeds from your pumpkin. Place the seeds in a bowl of cold water and swish them around. The seeds will float to the top, and you can skim them off. This process helps to clean the seeds and remove any stringy bits.

Step 2: Boil the Seeds

Add the cleaned seeds to a pot of boiling salted water and simmer for about 5 minutes. This step helps to further clean and season the seeds. Drain and rinse the seeds, then pull away any remaining bits of pumpkin.

Step 3: Dry the Seeds

Dry the seeds as much as possible. The drier they are, the better they will roast. You can use a clean kitchen towel or dishcloth to pat them dry.

Step 4: Season the Seeds

Toss the dry seeds with oil (co: olive oil, coconut oil, or nut oil work well). You can also add your favourite spices or spice blends. Some popular options include harissa, curry powder, pumpkin spice, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, or black pepper.

Step 5: Roast the Seeds

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Spread the seasoned seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 25 minutes, stirring at least once, until the seeds are fragrant, golden brown, and crispy.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Remove the seeds from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet. Then, enjoy your delicious, crispy, roasted pumpkin seeds! You can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for a few months.

How to stuff the pumpkin

To stuff a Long Island Cheese Pumpkin, you'll first need to cut off the top and scoop out the seeds and stringy insides. You can save the seeds to roast in the oven later.

For a savoury dish, you can fill the pumpkin with a mix of potatoes, sausage, bread, gruyere cheese, thyme, bacon or garlic, and herbs. For a vegetarian option, try a combination of bread, gruyere cheese, thyme, garlic, herbs, and heavy cream.

Once you've filled the pumpkin, place the top back on and wrap the pumpkin in aluminium foil. Place the wrapped pumpkin on a sturdy baking sheet and transfer to an oven preheated to 425 °F for about 1 hour and 45 minutes. To check if it's done, peel back the foil and see if a knife can be inserted through the wall of the pumpkin.

Remove the foil and the pumpkin top, then scoop out the stuffing and mix it with the tender pumpkin flesh. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe ideas for the roasted pumpkin

Roasting a Long Island Cheese Pumpkin is a great way to prepare it for a variety of recipes. Here are some ideas for what to do with your roasted pumpkin:

Savoury Recipes

Soups

You can use roasted Long Island Cheese Pumpkin to make a delicious soup. Chef Stephan Bogardus of the North Fork Table and Inn has a recipe that serves eight and includes leek, green apples, shallots, butter, and fennel. You can also add spices like nutmeg, salt, and black pepper to taste.

Savoury Bakes

Try stuffing your roasted pumpkin with a mixture of bread, gruyere cheese, thyme, bacon or sausage, garlic, herbs, and heavy cream. Bake until the pumpkin is tender and the stuffing is puffed and browned.

Pasta

Use your roasted pumpkin to make a sauce to serve with your favourite pasta.

Hummus

For a Mediterranean twist, try whipping up some hummus with your roasted pumpkin.

Curries, Tarts, Cakes, and Breads

Roasted pumpkin can be added to curries, tarts, cakes, and breads.

Savoury Bakes

For a savoury bake, stuff your pumpkin with meats, grains, and vegetables. You can also batter and deep-fry it for a crispy treat.

Homebrewing

If you're into homebrewing, you can add roasted pumpkin to your mash before fermentation when crafting a beer.

Sweet Recipes

Pumpkin Pie

The classic! Long Island Cheese Pumpkin is historically known for making the best-tasting pumpkin pies.

Waffles

Try making overnight yeast waffles with your roasted pumpkin for a sweet breakfast treat.

Cookies

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles are a great way to indulge your sweet tooth while also getting some beta carotene.

Donuts

Make some mini donuts and let the kids decorate them—a fun activity for the whole family!

Cakes and Breads

In addition to tarts, you can also add roasted pumpkin to cakes and breads.

There are endless possibilities for recipes with roasted Long Island Cheese Pumpkin! Get creative and enjoy the unique flavour and texture of this versatile squash.

Frequently asked questions