Homemade Pumpkin Purée

Nothing quite beats a pie crafted from homemade pumpkin purée! Substitute this purée in any recipe calling for canned pumpkin.

Ingredients:
1 (4-6 pound) Sugar pie pumpkin, rinsed and dried
Sea salt

Method:
1. Heat the oven to 400°.

2. Remove the stem and split the pumpkin in half from top to bottom, using a large cleaver and a mallet. Scoop out the seeds and fiber with a large metal spoon or ice cream scoop, cutting the fibers with kitchen shears if necessary. Reserve seeds for another use.

3. Sprinkle the flesh with kosher salt and lay the halves, flesh side down, on a parchment paper-lined sheet pan. Roast until a paring knife can be easily inserted and removed from the pumpkin, 30 to 45 minutes. Test in several places to ensure doneness.

4. Remove the pan to a rack and cool the pumpkin for 1 hour. Using a large spoon, remove the roasted flesh of the pumpkin from the skin to the bowl of a food processor. Process until the flesh is smooth, 3 to 4 minutes. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.