How to store sliced ​​pumpkin at home

It is difficult to overestimate the benefits of pumpkin - it contains a huge amount of vitamins and minerals that favorably affect the human body. Regular consumption of pumpkin helps to normalize the digestive tract, improves liver and kidney function, improves mood and relieves depression. The color of this berry is able to decorate and transform any dish. In addition, pumpkin is considered a hypoallergenic product, it is successfully used as the first food for babies. And pumpkin seeds are just a godsend for men's health, they are so valuable and useful.

Autumn is the time to harvest pumpkins. No matter how sweet and juicy these fruits are, eating them too much is impossible. Yes, and why? The pumpkin can be stored in order to enjoy its taste and benefits for several months.

How to store a whole pumpkin

A whole pumpkin can be stored in a city apartment for quite some time, up to 5 months. Thanks to its hard peel, pumpkin practically without any loss preserves all the taste and healthy properties. It is better to store the whole pumpkin in a dry and cool room - it can be a glazed balcony, pantry, cellar, basement or a simple dark cabinet. Only absolutely whole pumpkins must be cleaned for storage without damage and cuts. If the fruit was collected during the rain, it should first be wiped with a cloth and dried. When storing several pumpkins, do not place them close to each other. If one begins to rot, when touched, it can infect the neighboring one. In this case, pumpkins should be reviewed once every couple of weeks for damage and decay. Pumpkins with damaged sides should be removed or consumed immediately.

How to store cut pumpkin in the refrigerator

First, the pumpkin should be completely peeled. For convenience, the pumpkin is cut into pieces and a thick crust is cut with a sharp knife. In order not to damage your fingers, it is better to use a special knife for peeling vegetables, it is safer. After removing the peel, you need to remove the core and remove the seeds. This is most conveniently done with a spoon. Then you need to cut the pumpkin into small pieces and place in an airtight container. Place a bowl of pumpkin in the refrigerator. In this form, the pumpkin will be stored for about two weeks. If you want to save the fetus for a longer period, you need freezing.

How to store pumpkin in the freezer

The most optimal and useful way to store fresh vegetables and fruits is freezing. Despite the fact that many fruits after defrosting lose their structure, become watery and soft, all the beneficial properties in them are fully preserved. The same goes for pumpkin.

For freezing, the pumpkin must first be peeled and peeled. Then cut the fruit into small pieces or grate it, depending on what you intend to cook from the berry afterwards. Pumpkin should be frozen portionwise so as not to do it again. Divide the fruit into portions that you will need for one-time cooking. You can store frozen pumpkin for a very long time - up to six months.

Defrost the pumpkin gradually. Just shift the vegetable from the freezer to one of the shelves of the refrigerator and leave for several hours. During this time, the sweet orange flesh will completely thaw and will be ready to eat. You can speed up the defrosting process by putting the pumpkin on the kitchen table.If you need a pumpkin here and now, you can defrost it in the microwave, but this method kills all the vitamins that a noble gourd is ready to give you.

How to dry a pumpkin

Another way to preserve pumpkin is to dry the sweet pulp. As a result, you get sweet pieces of pumpkin, similar to dried fruit. This storage method also saves most of the vitamins of this fruit.

1. First, the fetus needs to be prepared. As in the previous methods, we clean the pumpkin from the peel and seeds, cut into small slices.
2. Dip the pieces of pumpkin in boiling water for 30 seconds. So we soften the fruit a little and make it even more delicious.
3. Remove the pumpkin slices with a slotted spoon and allow the excess water to drain. When the pumpkin cools and dries, place the pieces of pumpkin on a baking sheet, having previously lined it with baking paper. This is done so that the pieces do not stick. Fire in the oven should be minimal, not more than 150 degrees. Long drying at relatively low temperatures allows you to save more vitamins in the fruits.
4. When the pumpkin wedges are completely dry, they can be removed from the oven. After the dried pumpkin cools down, pour it into a canvas bag.
5. Sun-dried pumpkin can be stored for about three months in a dark, cool and well-ventilated place. Check your pumpkin bag regularly to prevent insects from getting caught.

Sun-dried pumpkin is not only healthy, but also very tasty - many children like this simple product.

What to cook from pumpkin

Pumpkin can diversify boring culinary dishes. A lot of tasty and interesting dishes are prepared from it.

1. The most popular use of pumpkin is porridge. Sweet rice porridge with pumpkin is a classic that can not be replaced with anything.
2. Pumpkin is excellently used as a filling for dough. Some Central Asian peoples cook manti and puff samsa with pumpkin. The filling for such dishes is prepared as follows - finely chopped pumpkin is mixed with onions, beef or mutton fat, a little salt and pepper are added.
3. And what are potato pancakes with pumpkin! Pumpkin and raw potatoes are grated, salt, pepper, chicken egg and a little flour are added to the mass. From the cooked mass, you need to mold pancakes and fry them on both sides. It's hard to refuse such an appetizer!
4. Pumpkin jam is very aromatic, sweet and unusual. To do this, cut the fruit into small pieces and cover with sugar. When it stands for several hours, the pumpkin will begin to produce juice. The next day, you can start to cook the pumpkin. Jam is brewed pretty quickly. Pieces of pumpkin quickly become soft. When it comes to an end, add the juice and zest of lemon or orange to the mass. This will give the jam an unusually attractive aroma and acidity. You can drink jam with tea, add to baked goods or oatmeal - it turns out very tasty!
5. Pumpkin can even be pickled and canned. Dissolve sugar and a little vinegar in water, pour slices of pumpkin with the prepared syrup and let it marinate overnight. Add your favorite spices to the mass - cloves, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper. Cook the composition over low heat until the pumpkin is soft. After that, you can eat the pumpkin right away or pour it into sterilized jars. In this case, you can enjoy the sour-sour taste of juicy pumpkin in the winter!

Recipes with pumpkin are very diverse and versatile - they prepare the first and second dishes, desserts and even fruit drinks from it.

Pumpkin is a storehouse of vitamins that can improve the functioning of any organism. Do not neglect these large orange fruits. Learning how to store a pumpkin, you can enjoy its unusual taste all year round.

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