How to store pumpkins so that they last longer (2024)

No matter how much you love pumpkin soup, sometimes you just can’t use a whole pumpkin up in one go.

You put the rest of your pumpkin in the fridge, only to find when you go to pull it out for your next batch of soup that it is covered in mould. Unsure if it is safe to eat, you chuck the whole piece of pumpkin away.

Here’s what you need to know about storing cut pumpkin:

The best way to store cut pumpkin is to wrap it tightly in cling wrap and place it in the fridge.
Leaving the seeds in or scooping them out makes no difference to how long the pumpkin will last.
Cut pumpkin will gradually develop a thin film of white mould, and if left even longer, some black or grey mould. If the pumpkin is still firm, the mould can be cut off (make sure you cut off about a centimetre extra of flesh beyond the mould) and eaten safely.
If the area around the mould is soft or wet, typically occurring when there is black or grey mould this indicates that the mould may have penetrated into the flesh of the pumpkin. In this instance it is not safe to consume the pumpkin, regardless of whether the mould has been removed or not.
If you don’t want to use cling wrap, you can use a large beeswax wrap (known as a Honeywrap in New Zealand) – but in this instance make sure you remove the seeds first.

Here’s what you need to know about storing whole pumpkins:

They should be stored in a cool place, such as your garage.
Store pumpkins upside down (so the stalk is on the bottom).
Don’t place them directly onto the floor – use a piece of cardboard as a mat for the pumpkin.
Stored this way, pumpkins can last up to 3-4 months.

Tip: If chopping your pumpkin feels like hard work, try roasting it whole in the oven. You can then chop the pumpkin easily and any pumpkin you don’t need can be frozen and used for soup.

View this post on Instagram

Weekend cooking: Roasting the veggies. This is my favourite way to do pumpkin. Can't believe I used to cut the pumpkin up with great difficulty in the past. I think it's even a reason I didn't use to eat it! Do you do your pumpkin like this? #domskitchen #justeatrealfood
A post shared by Happy⭐️Healthy⭐️Holistic (@doms_kitchen) on Sep 4, 2015 at 11:08pm PDT
See Also
Long Island Cheese Pumpkin | The Foodie Pilgrim

FAQs

How to store pumpkins so that they last longer? ›

You should store most winter squashes

winter squashes
Winter squash is an annual fruit representing several squash species within the genus Cucurbita. Late-growing, less symmetrical, odd-shaped, rough or warty varieties, small to medium in size, but with long-keeping qualities and hard rinds, are usually called winter squash.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Winter_squash
Winter squash - Wikipedia

and pumpkins at about 50 to 55 degrees; don't let the temperature go below 50 degrees. Give them moderate humidity and good air circulation. A garage is usually suitable, as long as the pumpkins and squash are on shelves off the floor, Langellotto said.

Get More Info ›

What can you spray on pumpkins to keep them from rotting? ›

Let your pumpkin dry completely, then choose one of the options below to keep it fresh:

Spray daily with a bleach solution (use ratio above)
Spray daily with a pumpkin spray (either store bought or homemade)
Spray with WD-40 (just once or after each soak)
Rub with petroleum jelly (just once or after each soak)

Get More Info Here ›

How do pumpkins last so long? ›

Some farmers move their pumpkins from vine to a storage space kept at room temperature, which allows it to cure. Higher temps encourage the pumpkin's outer skin, or rind, to harden, in turn allowing it to last longer than its uncured counterparts.

How to stop pumpkins from rotting? ›

Wipe down all surfaces of the pumpkin with a vinegar-water solution (1 part vinegar to 1 part water) to kill bacteria and fungal spores. You can then spray the pumpkin daily with this solution. If you're only going to apply one treatment, this is the one to choose.

Discover More ›

Do pumpkins last longer with the stem? ›

Don't Cut the Top Off

This is because the stem is your pumpkin's source of nutrients. Even lifting it by its stem can cause damage and speed up the aging process. To gut your pumpkin without detaching the stem, you can cut the back or bottom out instead.

Read The Full Story ›

How to store pumpkins for months? ›

They should be stored in a cool place, such as your garage. Store pumpkins upside down (so the stalk is on the bottom). Don't place them directly onto the floor – use a piece of cardboard as a mat for the pumpkin. Stored this way, pumpkins can last up to 3-4 months.

Learn More ›

Do pumpkins last longer in sun or shade? ›

Location Is Key

If you plan on keeping your pumpkins outside, place them in a dry, shaded spot—like a covered porch—for the entire season. Too much hot sun will speed up a pumpkin's decaying process, as will rain. Moisture from rain can lead to mold and mush, which no one wants on their beautiful pumpkins!

How do you extend the life of an uncarved pumpkin? ›

Elevate Them: Place your uncarved pumpkins on a clean, dry surface, such as a wooden pallet or a layer of straw. This provides airflow, reducing the risk of mold and rot. Rotate Periodically: Every few weeks, gently rotate your pumpkins to ensure even exposure to air and prevent any flattening on one side.

Learn More Now ›

Does cutting a hole in the bottom of a pumpkin make it last longer? ›

This will also help make your pumpkin last longer. Cut a medium-sized hole in the bottom of your pumpkin (make the hole larger than your fist but small enough that the cut portion won't be visible once you stand the pumpkin up).

How do you store pumpkins until October? ›

The conditions needed to store pumpkins until Halloween are pretty hard to find this time of year. For optimum storage, pumpkins need to be kept cool and dry with temperatures between 50 and 60 F and a relative humidity of about 50 to 70 percent.

Know More ›

What is the best way to store fresh pumpkin? ›

They should be stored in a cool place, such as your garage. Store pumpkins upside down (so the stalk is on the bottom). Don't place them directly on the floor – use a piece of cardboard as a mat for the pumpkin. Stored this way, pumpkins can last up to 3-4 months.

Tell Me More ›

How do you keep pumpkins fresh until Thanksgiving? ›

Keep them in a dry, shaded spot all season long. Porches are perfect! You heard that right, bathe your pumpkins every now and again. Mix one part bleach to ten parts water in a large container and let your pumpkin bathe in the solution for two minutes.

Know More ›