The word pumpkin originates from the word pepon, which is Greek for “large melon”. The French adapted this word to pompon, which the British changed to pumpion and later American colonists changed that to the word we use today, “pumpkin”.
The color of pumpkins plus the the crisp Fall air reminds us of holidays, and the smell of freshly cooked pumpkin recipes.
This is a delicious delicious pumpkin bread recipe that I got from my grandmother when I was a young cook with my own family.
Note: I have substituted my own cooked pumpkin puree in this recipe for years and it gives it a wonderful fresh taste. I have used my left over jack-o-lantern by cooking it the day after I carved it, but it is even better when you use a sweet pie pumpkin. Pie pumpkins are smaller, sweeter, less grainy textured pumpkins than the usual jack-o-lantern types. See recipe to cook your own pumpkin.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil or 1/4 cup oil and 1/4 cup applesauce
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup solid-pack pumpkin
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
1 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
1/2 teaspoon clove, ground
1/4 teaspoon allspice, ground
1/2 cup water
1/2 nuts and or raisins
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, combine sugar, oil and eggs. Add pumpkin and mix well. Combine dry ingredients; add to the pumpkin mixture alternately with water. Pour into greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350 F for 60-70 minutes or until bread tests done. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack; cool completely.
This bread is made in jars, and baked in the oven. The bread lasts indefinately because in essence, it is canned. Can be made well ahead of the holidays.
Ingredients
2/3 C. shortening
2 3/4 C. sugar
4 eggs
2 C. pumpkin, fresh pureed or canned
2/3 C. water
3 1/3 C. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cloves, ground
1/2 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 C. walnuts, chopped or crushed
8 wide mouth jars with lids and rings for sealing, (8 pint-sized or 4 18-oz. jars)
8 wax paper circles cut to fit – inside; jars
Directions
Cream shortening and sugar together, adding sugar slowly. Beat in eggs, pumpkin and water. Set aside. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, ground cloves, allspice, cinnamon and baking soda. Add to pumpkin mixture and stir well. Stir in nuts. Pour batter into greased canning jars, filling only half-full. Place jars in a pan of water. Bake upright in preheated 325-degree oven for about 45 minutes. (Cake will rise and pull away from sides of jar.) When done, remove one jar at a time from oven. If cake rises above the top of the jar, slice off the excess.
While still hot, place wax paper circle on the top end of the cake. Wipe sealing edge of jar. Place lid on jar and close tightly with ring. Turn jar upside down. (Cake will loosen at this time.) Repeat with other jars. Leave jars upside down until sealed. (Jar is sealed if lid remains flat when pressed in center.)
To serve: Open jar, slide a knife around inside of the jar to loosen the cake, and remove the cake from the jar. Warm cake in the oven if desired, or slice and toast. Slice and serve with whipped cream or butter. Because the jar is sealed, the cake keeps indefinitely. It can be made ahead of the holidays.
Source: http://www.cookingwithpumpkin.com/pumpkin-nut-bread-in-a-jar-recipe/