get in my belly: charlie food - pumpkin baby food

From the time I was little I've had an obsession with all things pumpkin (especially my step-mama's pumpkin whoopie pies), so when I decided to start making Charlie's baby food I got really excited for "pumpkin season". This "baby food" recipe is also the easiest way to cook a pumpkin for pumpkin pie, etc. 

What you'll need: a pumpkin (i suggest buying the pumpkins that are labeled "pumpkin pie" pumpkins), a knife (a serrated one works best), ice cream scoop & a pan

Step one: rinse off your pumpkin

Step two: cut your pumpkin in half. I suggest cutting it using a sawing motion. 

Step three: using the ice cream scoop, scoop out all the "guts" and seeds. If you want you can save the seeds to bake them or trying to grow your own pumpkin later. 

Step four: cut your pumpkin into smaller pieces so they will fit into the pan. Fill the pan with enough water so you'll be able to steam it.  

Step five: put the lid on, turn on the stove, and steam the pieces for 15 minutes or until soft. 

**You can also do this in a microwave but I'm not a fan of using a microwave too much when it comes to Charlie's food.**

Step six: take the pieces out of the pan and let them cool off. 

Step seven: when the pieces cool off, scoop out the pumpkin into a dish. 

I've made all sorts of meals for Charlie using pumpkin. Below are a few ideas. 

 - Pumpkin & Apple. Sometimes I'll add a tiny tiny tiny bit of cinnamon to it. 

 - Pumpkin, Chicken & Kale. The key to this one is using more pumpkin and chicken than kale. 

 - Pumpkin, Apple & Broccoli. It sounds disgusting but it doesn't taste that bad.