1. The smaller the better. Go for a smaller pumpkin variety that’s called Sugar Pie pumpkins. This variety bake into heavenly delicious-tasting pies. You want your pumpkin to have a diameter of about 8-10 inches to make sure it’s flesh will be less stringy and a lot smoother compared to other larger varieties.
2. Knock on your pumpkin to check if it’s ripe. If it makes a hollow sound, then it’s surely ripe. Ripe pumpkins are always better for cooking purposes.
3. Hard brown stems indicate ripe pumpkin. When your chosen pumpkin is still attached to its vine, drying out that vine would be a great idea.
4. Try other pumpkin varieties too. Sugar Pie pumpkins aren’t the only pumpkins used for pies. Look out for other varieties like Blue Hubbard Cinderella and Pink Banana pumpkins. Varieties like Butternut, Red Kuri and Kabocha pumpkins are good for soup purposes.