Personal pumpkin bowls

The pumpkin, midway through the preparations.

 Fresh pumpkin is delicious and has a taste entirely different from that of the canned stuff we find on sale at the grocery store around Thanksgiving.  A smallish orange pumpkin can be cooked in the microwave.

You will need:

• 1 small orange pumpkin (2-3 lbs or less)
• Spices: pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and sweetener to taste

1. Place the whole pumpkin in the microwave.
2. Cook on high for 5 minutes on high to soften the pumpkin.
3. Cut the pumpkin in half and scoop out the innards.  You may bake the seeds and eat them later if you like.
4. Place the pumpkin halves face down on a plate, and fill the plate with water.
5. Microwave the pumpkin halves for 10 minutes on high, or until soft.
6. Season each half to taste with the spices.
7. Mash the pumpkin and spices together with a fork.
8. Enjoy!

Note: cooking times will depend on the size of your pumpkin and the power of your microwave.  If this is your first time cooking a winter squash in the microwave, exercise caution and cook the squash for shorter periods and check up on it periodically.