If you think that the pumpkin frenzy every fall is a millennial thing, you have not seen all the pumpkin recipes from the early 1900s. Our ancestors used pumpkins in just about everything you can imagine and a few things you could not imagine.
Below is a sampling of all the weird and wonderful pumpkin recipes from last century. You can try them out, adapt them, or simply read and drool.
1. Plymouth Pumpkin Pie
There are many ways to make a pumpkin pie and nearly all the old recipes, filled with spices, are delicious. This particular recipe, published in 1911, is very close to how I make my pies each autumn.
2. Baked
These directions for baked pumpkin from 1920 tell how easy it is to make baked pumpkin. This is also how I prepare fresh pumpkins for baking. I simply cut them and place them in the oven until soft. After the slices have cooled enough to handle, I scrape the flesh from the skin, mash it, let it cool, and freeze it in the amounts I need to pies, cakes, and cookies.
3. Four Large Pies
For families who like their pumpkin pies, here is a 1912 recipe for making four pies at the same time.
4. Muffins
The wonderful thing about muffins is that they are so easy to bake. This 1916 pumpkin muffin recipe makes dinner or breakfast muffins.
5. Cornmeal Pumpkin Bread
I made pumpkin bread every year, but I have never made it with cornmeal. This recipe was printed in 1914.
6. Marmalade
Here is an interesting recipe for marmalade. Published in 1903.
7. Pumpkin Patties
Pumpkin patties? Recipe from 1903.
8. Italian Pumpkin
Here is one recipe I would be very reluctant to try. I simply could not get past grated cheese on cooked pumpkin. But I could be wrong! Recipe published in 1919.
9. Bread Pudding
Here is an easy bread pudding recipe from 1920.
10. Scalloped
Scalloped potatoes are a popular side dish in my home, but I never knew I could make scalloped pumpkin, as well. Recipe published in 1919.
