Freezing pumpkin for the winter is an original way to stock up on vitamins
A healthy body is considered a real treasure for a person who leads an active lifestyle. To maintain it constantly, you need vitamins, and freezing pumpkin for the winter is a wonderful opportunity to stock up on them. As you know, the fruit is well preserved in the basement, provided that there are no scratches, cracks and a dry root on it. But not everyone can afford this luxury. It is rather difficult to store large fruits in a city apartment. And when cut, they quickly deteriorate and lose their valuable properties. What is the best way to solve this problem? Find out what the experts are saying.
Read also: pumpkin casserole!
Freezing pumpkin for the winter: competent product preparation
- carotene;
- pectin;
- potassium;
- carbohydrates;
- cellulose;
- vitamins of group B, C, E, D.
Therefore, sensible housewives try to serve fruit as often as possible for a family meal. Often they wonder: is it possible to freeze pumpkin for storage in order to prepare various dishes from it in winter. Experienced chefs confirm the effectiveness of this method. The main thing is to make blanks according to the accepted rules.
To prevent vegetable slices from sticking together during storage, they should be folded into small bags or containers. So it is much more convenient to use the product for cooking.
There are several options for freezing a bright vegetable for the winter, which are practiced by true connoisseurs of a healthy fruit. Some housewives cut it into pieces, put it in cellophane bags, and then put it in the freezer. Unfortunately, the product is watery and only suitable for pureeing. Experts advise freezing pumpkin for the winter in three variations:
- raw product;
- boiled;
- baked.
This approach allows you to determine in advance for what purpose the semi-finished product will be used:
- garnish;
- casserole;
- filling for pies;
- children food;
- pancakes.
When the goal is set, you can start freezing the pumpkin for the winter at home and the first step is preparatory work.
The right fruit is the key to success
First, choose a sufficiently ripe product of any kind. It must meet the requirements:
- small size;
- elongated shape;
- no visible cracks;
- lack of darkening;
- no dents;
- dry root;
- bright orange color of the pulp;
- pleasant aroma.
Then it is thoroughly washed under running water to eliminate soil or debris residues. The vegetable is cut in half with a sharp knife. Seeds with fibrous pulp are removed. Wipe the formed funnels with a tea towel or napkin.
It is advisable to wash the seeds, dry them and eat them raw on an empty stomach. This is a wonderful method of dealing with worms.
Raw food slicing methods
Depending on the selected method of preparation, cutting is done. Some housewives doubt whether it is possible to freeze a pumpkin with a peel to increase the volume of the product. Experienced cooks have noticed that it is very tough when raw, so it is better to remove it. To do this, cut the pumpkin into several parts and carefully remove the peel. Then they chop:
- cubes;
- straws;
- long stripes;
- on a coarse grater.
Each hostess chooses an option that suits her winter menu.
Wise advice from professionals
Let's look at the main ways to store pumpkin in the refrigerator.
Freezing raw fruit
The first step is to remove the peel from the vegetable. Cut into cubes of various sizes. If the blank is made for filling pies, small options will do. For the preparation of hot meals, large sizes are allowed. Then they are laid out on a tabletop or cutting board covered with cling film. When the cubes dry out a little, they are sent to the freezer. After 30 minutes, the finished product is transferred to bags or special containers. Pumpkin, crushed on a grater, is packed and immediately placed in a chamber with a temperature of –18 ° C.
It is advisable to sign the bags with the grated product. When frozen, they are very similar to carrots.
A boiled product for all occasions
Young mothers should know how to freeze pumpkin for the winter to feed small children. Since this product is an important ingredient for babies, it must be prepared in such a way as to preserve the beneficial elements. For this, the pumpkin is boiled in the following ways:
- Water is boiled in a large container. Slices are lowered there for a few minutes. When they soften, take out immediately.
- Heat treatment in a microwave oven. Pieces of vegetable are placed in a special dish. Set the maximum power and cook for 15 minutes.
- Using a double boiler. For a quarter of an hour, the product is kept over steam. The finished pumpkin is put in a colander so that the water leaves it.
Whichever cooking method is used, the main thing is to bring the fruit to a soft state. After that, it is crushed to a uniform consistency, laid out in sachets, cups or small containers. The cooled blanks are placed in a freezer.
It is advisable to freeze pumpkin for the winter for feeding children in small containers in order to rationally use the product.
Keeping the baked "queen" vitamin
As you know, pumpkin prepared in this way is considered a particularly healthy product. Even frozen, it does not lose its properties. The fruit is baked in two ways: cubes or slices. In the first case, you need to remove the peel, in the second - the product is cleaned after heat treatment.
The finished pumpkin is crushed with blender, pusher or table fork. Mashed potatoes are placed in small forms or silicone cups.
Try filling your ice cube trays with pumpkin puree. After freezing, unpack the finished cubes in tight plastic bags.
Cooking delicious frozen pumpkin treats
Before you start preparing the amber fruit, you must properly defrost the ingredient. There are several basic rules:
- pieces of pumpkin are immediately dipped in boiling water;
- the finished puree is placed on the lower tier of the refrigerator for several hours;
- a homogeneous mass from a vegetable is defrosted in a microwave oven;
- the grated product is added at the very end of cooking.
Consider the popular recipes for frozen pumpkin for the winter, which are offered by experienced chefs.
Aromatic casserole
The dish is often served for breakfast or dinner. It has excellent taste and aroma. For cooking you need ingredients:
- 0.5 kg of frozen pumpkin;
- juicy apples (200 g);
- chicken eggs (2 or 3 pieces);
- semolina (100 g);
- granulated sugar (tablespoon);
- butter (150 g);
- a pinch of baking soda;
- salt according to the culinary preference.
First, you need to figure out how to cook frozen pumpkin for a casserole to get an excellent treat. To do this, it is placed in hot water and boiled until soft. Then the liquid is drained, salt is added and kneaded with a crush.
Grated apples, butter, semolina, soda are placed in the cooled puree. After that, the ingredients are mixed and poured with eggs, beaten with sugar.The prepared gruel is transferred to a baking dish covered with foil or special paper. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes at a maximum temperature of 200 ° C.
Charlotte for dessert
For those who do not know what can be made from frozen pumpkin, the chefs offer a simple charlotte recipe. To prepare it, you will need products:
- frozen pumpkin;
- flour;
- eggs;
- sugar;
- soda or baking powder;
- salt to taste.
The usual charlotte dough is prepared in a separate container. Next, a baking dish with high sides is covered with parchment. Pieces of frozen pumpkin are placed on the bottom in a raw form. Pour the cooked dough over the vegetables. Bake in the oven at a temperature of about 180 ° C. Serve the dish for breakfast or dinner.
Practice shows that you can cook many dishes from frozen pumpkin. The main thing is to get inspired, turn on your imagination and act. Let the amber "queen" of vegetables - her Majesty - "Pumpkin" always be on the table.