For those who’ve not too long ago moved to France or if it’s your first fall season right here, you is perhaps shocked to study that canned pumpkin isn’t one thing you may seize off the shelf of each grocery store. Within the U.S., particularly within the fall, aisles appear to be overflowing with canned pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie combine, and pumpkin-spiced the whole lot. In France? Not a lot.
So what do you do if you happen to’re craving a Thanksgiving pumpkin pie (or one now like me) or wish to whip up a batch of pumpkin bread? Let’s speak about the place to purchase canned pumpkin in France. It’s simple!
This time of 12 months, I do a ton of baking and naturally all issues pumpkin are on the high of my checklist. It’s barely October and I’m two cans down with no indicators of stopping.
I’ve gotten requested, “The place do you purchase canned pumpkin in France” an entire bunch over time, so it’s about time I wrote a submit about it. It’s not as costly as you may suppose!
France vs. US grocery retailer variations that’ll shock you >>
Why canned pumpkin isn’t widespread in France
First, some context. In French delicacies, pumpkin (or un potiron/une citrouille, which is extra just like the jack-o-lantern kind) is considered strictly as a savory ingredient. French households are much more prone to dice up contemporary pumpkin to make a comfy soup or dinner facet dish than to bake it right into a scrumptious pumpkin pie.
Pumpkin desserts simply aren’t a part of the culinary custom right here, which explains why supermarkets don’t trouble stocking canned pumpkin the best way U.S. shops do. Every kind of root greens and squash are in style within the fall however pumpkin as a dessert will not be.
And if you happen to’re questioning about pumpkin spice lattes or the overall pumpkin spice craze that explodes each fall within the States — that’s merely NOT a factor in France.
No pumpkin spice candles, no pumpkin spice Oreos, and positively no pumpkin spice Cheerios or espresso creamer or something actually. To most French folks, the concept of candy pumpkin something is… properly, a bit odd. However don’t fear, you may nonetheless discover pumpkin in France.
American consolation meals French folks don’t eat >>
Again within the day after I first moved to France, although, you both needed to go with out or convey it again in your suitcase. For these in Paris, there was an in-person retailer that has since closed. Your solely different choice a decade in the past was to discover a gap within the wall store on-line that was promoting it for 40 euros/can. And I received’t verify or deny if I succumbed to these costs.
When you received’t see Libby’s or different canned pumpkin manufacturers at your nook supermarché it doesn’t imply you’re out of luck. Lately, there are a number of locations the place canned pumpkin does pop up and all it takes is a pair clicks of a mouse.
KoRo
KoRo is a Germany-based high-quality wholesome meals retailer that has a ton of scrumptious vegan and natural merchandise together with nuts, dried fruits, snacks, baking elements and extra.
Voilà, they even have canned pumpkin puree FOR THE WIN. Aaaaand it’s beneath 3 euros per can. STOCK UP, PEOPLE. That is the best way. Plus, they ship throughout Europe. CLICK HERE to buy.
When you’re there, have a browse round. Let me reiterate that KoRo is implausible. Their chocolate-covered dates are high notch, as are all of the snacks, and if you wish to follow pumpkin for a sec, get the almond pumpkin butter. You’ll not remorse it. This cereal can be 10/10 for me. Dang, I feel I must do a whole KoRo submit of my faves as a result of they’re THAT good.
Amazon France
Amazon has its haters however nobody can deny that it’s handy. There are a bunch of distributors that appear to pop up promoting canned pumpkin. However as soon as their inventory is gone, the itemizing disappears so replenish when you may.
As of scripting this in 2025, you may a 2-pack of Libby’s right here, some big cans of Libby’s right here if you happen to’re going to be baking up a storm like me, and a 6-can pack of one other model right here and one other pack of two. Whereas they’re all costlier than US costs, the worth received’t make your eyes come out of your head. (KoRo above continues to be cheaper, however Amazon wins for the comfort issue).
La Belle Vie
This high-end on-line grocery retailer has the products. Get your canned pumpkin right here. Whereas there, the store has a bunch of fantastic contemporary merchandise value a glance.
Be sure you use my hyperlink for 10€ off your first order (if it asks for my e-mail to confirm the referral, it’s ouiinfrance at gmail dot com).
Tip: You may additionally discover canned pumpkin in worldwide meals shops. Replenish whenever you see it, particularly round fall holidays, as a result of provides may be unpredictable.
Alternate options to canned pumpkin
For those who can’t observe down canned pumpkin, you may all the time make your personal purée. It’s not as fast as opening a can, but it surely’s very doable:
1. Purchase contemporary pumpkin (search for potiron and even potimarrons if you wish to change it up at farmers’ markets this time of 12 months).
2. Lower it in halves or quarters relying on the dimensions. Scoop out the seeds and stringy elements.
3. Roast within the oven at 200C within the till tender. My medium-size potimarron the opposite day that I halved took about 50 minutes.
4. Scoop out the flesh and mix till clean in a blender, meals processor, or with a stick blender.
Voilà — selfmade pumpkin purée! However actually, I like simplicity so I’m going the canned pumpkin route through Koro above. Why complicate issues when we have now choices?
That mentioned, the flavour is usually richer and brisker than canned variations, although it does add an additional step to pie making if you happen to’re in a rush or lazy within the kitchen like me. Yow will discover frozen squash to roast at Picard as properly. The worst half is making an attempt to not minimize your finger off with a large knife when slicing your pumpkin squash. Sure, I’m a grown grownup and I make myself nervous when dealing with giant knives and huge pumpkins. Some issues ought to be left to the professionals (which means: NOT me).
Additionally, relying on the precise squash/pumpkin selection, the consistency and style of your selfmade pumpkin puree may not be equivalent to what you’re used to, so once more, two thumbs up for getting canned pumpkin on-line in France as an alternative of creating it.
Backside line
The place to search out canned pumpkin in France is purchase the KoRo canned pumpkin puree, arms down that’s my go-to place.
Dwelling in France as an American typically means adjusting to the truth that sure acquainted meals aren’t as accessible right here — and canned pumpkin is one among them. However a part of the enjoyable of residing overseas is studying to adapt, whether or not which means searching down specialty shops, ordering on-line, or embracing a selfmade model of the one that you love pumpkin pie.
So the following time you’re within the temper for pumpkin pie or wish to introduce French associates to the magic of pumpkin bread, don’t surrender. With a number of clicks, you’ll be whipping up pumpkin the whole lot like me very quickly. So go get after it and convey a style of the American season to your French kitchen.
Completely satisfied baking!!
Disclosure: This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks.
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