How to cut a pumpkin for cooking

Bake or microwave it

For all large, difficult-to-cut squash and pumpkins (or a recipe where you’re keeping the squash mostly whole, like this one), giving the whole thing a quick zap in the microwave or the oven is an insanely easy trick for softening the skin just enough to make cutting easier.

LET COOL just enough to handle without burning your fingers. PEEL it using a knife or your fingers. Either chop or purée the pumpkin flesh, depending what you are using it for. If you intend to purée, pumpkin can be cooked longer, making it much, much easier to peel the skin.

Technically, the skin of nearly all pumpkin and squash varieties is edible; however, some varieties’ skins are simply too tough and take too long to soften when cooking, resulting in the flesh being ready well before the skin. Therefore, we recommend removing the rind of certain varieties prior to cooking.

Usually a series of pumpkin peels are needed to see results. Often times it is recommended to have 4 to 6 peels done, one to two weeks apart. Pumpkin peels have been known to stimulate circulation and promote healing of the skin due to the beta carotene and vitamin A.

After a summer of harsh sun exposure, a pumpkin peel presents a gentle, soothing and hydrating solution to improve the texture of your skin. It’s also loaded with antioxidants that help fight free radicals, as well as hydroxyl acids and natural enzymes that exfoliate and improve skin tone.

8. Contains Compounds That Promote Healthy Skin. Pumpkins are loaded with nutrients that are great for your skin. For one, it’s high in carotenoids like beta-carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A.

Pumpkin contains alpha hydroxyl acids and other fruit enzymes that help to speed up cell regeneration. As a result, you get newer skin cells quicker, leaving with radiant and smooth skin like never before. Pumpkin contains vitamins A and C. Both are potent antioxidants that can destroy free radicals.