Just made this - used fresh pumpkin - but there are two recipes for this - one with fresh, one with canned. I got three opinions, my son loved it, I thought it was OK, my husband really didn't care for it but loved the sauage (didn't want to tell him there was eggplant in it). By the way, I did "combine" the two recipes I had from Rachael to use fresh pumpkin. Everyone did like the sauce & it didn't have a over-whelming taste of pumpkin. Give it a try. I will probably make it again.