Pumpkin Butter for Canning: A Delicious Fall Treat
Pumpkin butter is a delicious and versatile spread that's perfect for enjoying during the fall season. It's made from cooked pumpkin puree, sugar, spices, and sometimes citrus. The result is a smooth, rich, and flavorful condiment that can be used on toast, crackers, pancakes, waffles, or even as a glaze for desserts.
This recipe is specifically designed for canning, allowing you to preserve your pumpkin butter for months to come, so you can enjoy its deliciousness long after the pumpkins are gone.
Ingredients:
- 8 cups peeled, seeded, and chopped pumpkin (about 2 medium pumpkins)
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions:
- Prepare your jars: Wash and sterilize 8 half-pint jars (or 4 pint jars) along with their lids and rings.
- Cook the pumpkin: In a large pot, combine the pumpkin, granulated sugar, brown sugar, apple cider, lemon juice, and spices. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes, until the pumpkin has broken down and the mixture has thickened slightly.
- Process the pumpkin butter: Ladle the hot pumpkin butter into the sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Wipe the rims clean with a damp cloth, and secure the lids and rings.
- Can the pumpkin butter: Place the jars in a canner filled with enough water to cover the jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a boil, and process for 35 minutes (for half-pint jars) or 40 minutes (for pint jars).
- Cool the jars: Carefully remove the jars from the canner and let them cool completely at room temperature. You should hear a popping sound as the lids seal.
- Store the pumpkin butter: Once completely cool, check the lids to ensure they're sealed. Store your canned pumpkin butter in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
Tips and Tricks:
- Use fresh pumpkin: For the best flavor, use fresh pumpkin instead of canned.
- Adjust the sweetness: Adjust the amount of sugar to your liking.
- Add additional spices: You can add other spices like cardamom, allspice, or star anise to your pumpkin butter.
- Use a food mill: For a smoother pumpkin butter, use a food mill to remove any small pieces of pumpkin.
- Canning safety: Always follow the canning instructions carefully to ensure the safety of your pumpkin butter.
Enjoy!
Your homemade canned pumpkin butter is now ready to be enjoyed! Spread it on toast, crackers, or use it as a topping for pancakes, waffles, and even ice cream. It's also a delicious addition to baked goods and desserts.
