With the arrival of autumn, the pumpkin with its intense orange color becomes the protagonist of the kitchen. Discover in this post a little more about this autumn vegetable full of nutrients and healthy properties for our body.
Its cultivation is very old and seems to come from Asia, but it did not spread to Europe until the 16th century. The first pumpkins were grown for their delicious and nutrient-rich seeds, but with the developmentor varieties of meatier and sweeter pulp began to be used also for cooking. Today it is found in hot countries around the world. Most of the pumpkin cultivation in Spain is concentrated in the Valencian Communityand in the province of Malaga.
It belongs to the Curcubitáceas family, such as watermelon , melon ,cucumber or zucchini. Thanks to the summer and winter varieties we can enjoy pumpkins all year round. Summer varieties tend to have thinner skin and soft seeds. But the winter varietiesthey are sweeter, and thanks to their less juicy meat and thicker skin they keep much longer. The types of pumpkin that are currently in our markets are much broader than a few years ago, highlighting princiPalmente the Basque Pumpkin, the variety Butternut or Peanut and the Butternut of Provence.
This delicious vegetable has always attracted attention for its spectacular size, even organizing contests. However, the most interesting thing is not its size but its incredible nutritional properties. PumpkinIt stands out above all, for being a digestive and light food, since it contains a lot of water and few calories. Among its virtues stands out its content in carotenes that improve saltyour sight, the heart and the proper functioning of the immune system, in addition to having antioxidant and preventive properties of certain types of cancer. It also has appreciable amounts of vitamin E, folates and other vitamins from the group.po B. Regarding its mineral wealth, it is a food rich in potassium, necessary for the transmission and generation of the nerve impulse and for normal muscular activity. Thanks to its fiber content, it has a slight laxative and satiating effect, which unitesDue to its low calorie content, pumpkin is a recommended vegetable for weight loss diets.
When buying, especially if it is winter, we must choose those that are well ripe and with a firm and hard rind. It is pReferable to acquire those pumpkins that are heavy in relation to their size and that retain their tail or peduncle. At home, the ideal is to keep it in a cool and dark place. If we have already used it, the best way to preserve it iscutting it into pieces and freezing it.
It is used in many culinary preparations, both sweet and savory. It can be eaten raw in salads, cooked, fried or roasted as a garnish. In stews, stews and stews, it provides flavor and a cextraordinary smell. Also ideal for preparing jams and preserves, cakes, cakes and fillings with traditional sweets, and angel hair (such as pumpkin confectionery).
Pumpkin is the food ideal of the fall season, and not only for the little ones in the house. Now that you know its properties and its versatility in the kitchen, don't miss this delicious fruit in your dishes.
