Garden squash come in numerous varieties. Edible pumpkins provide a healthy, wholesome and tasty pulp. There are numerous recipes for using pumpkin flesh in cooking. However, the large number of seeds inside the pumpkin fruit can also be used for culinary purposes.
This is what you should know about the garden squash.
There are numerous recipes for using pumpkin flesh in cooking. But also the large number of seeds inside the pumpkin fruit can be used culinary. The pumpkin belongs to the fruit fruits. Botanically, the pumpkin fruit is classified as berries. Even though pumpkins can grow huge and their outer skin is very firm: the pumpkin seeds are exposed in the flesh. Thus, pumpkins meet the condition for classification as a berry. Worldwide, it is estimated that the pumpkin family (Cucurbita) includes about 800 different species. Pumpkins can be round, elongated, large or small. There are bottle-shaped pumpkins and fruits that look like a UFO. The surface of the outer skin can be smooth or covered with warty outgrowths. The color spectrum of pumpkins ranges from bright yellow and orange, different shades of green to a light outer skin. In addition to solid-colored pumpkin skins, there are also interesting striped species. The pumpkin is one of the oldest fruits that enrich the human menu. It has been cultivated for about 10,000 years. The origins of this useful fruit lie in South America and Africa. In addition to the South American edible pumpkins, there have been bottle gourds in Africa for thousands of years. These are dried, hollowed out and used as storage vessels. The Portuguese brought various species of edible gourd from their voyages of discovery from South America across the ocean to Europe. Today, five main types of squash are cultivated in Australia, Africa, America and Europe. These include the garden squash (Curcurbita pepo), the fig leaf squash (Cucurbita ficifolia), the musk squash (Curcubita moschata), the giant squash ( Curcubita maxima) and Curcubita argyrosperma, which is grown primarily in South America. In Europe, the garden squash is the most important representative of the pumpkin family. The well-known orange Halloween pumpkins, the yellow centner or the Styrian oil pumpkin belong to the garden pumpkins. Zucchini also belong to this pumpkin family. Spaghetti squash, whose flesh breaks down into spaghetti-like strands after cooking, are also grown. The garden squash is an annual plant that grows meter-long stems on which the squash fruits grow. There are climbing varieties, but often the stalks lie on the ground because of the heaviness of the fruit. The pumpkin seeds are the seeds that are either sown directly into a bed in the spring or from which small pumpkin plants are grown in advance. Pumpkin is very sensitive to cold. Therefore, garden pumpkins should be planted in the bed only after the Ice Saints. Pumpkin plants form bright or yellow flowers, which have the shape of a bell. The plants need to be well watered regularly. The garden squash needs deep and nutrient-rich soil so that it can form numerous fruits. Depending on the variety, harvesting begins from the end of August and extends until the first autumn frosts. Some varieties of garden pumpkins make good autumnal decorations. In culinary terms, the pumpkin flesh is, for example, preserved together with spices, made into soups or cooked as a side dish in the oven. The seeds of the Styrian oil pumpkins are roasted and squeezed. The deep green and thick oil is extremely healthy and goes well with many dishes with its nutty flavor.
Importance for health
The pumpkin fruit is well suited for particularly wholesome light food dishes. The garden squash can be processed into mush, and like carrots, used as the first complementary food for infant feeding. In addition to the relieving effect on the digestive system, the garden squash has a pronounced dehydrating effect after consumption. It can be used specifically as a diuretic food in kidney diseases, which at the same time relieves the heart and circulatory system. Pumpkin seeds are a proven folk remedy for benign prostate enlargement. Also, in case of constant urge to urinate, without the presence of infection by pathogens, regular consumption of pumpkin seeds can soothe the irritated bladder. In addition, the seeds contain curcubitin.This ingredient acts against worms in the digestive tract. However, at least 200 grams of pumpkin seeds per intake would have to be consumed for this.
Ingredients and nutritional values
The flesh of a garden squash contains numerous vitamins such as A and C, as well as the group of B vitamins. In addition, the pumpkin fruit provides minerals such as potassium, iron and calcium. Very important for health are also the secondary plant compounds. Particularly noteworthy are the carotenoids that give the pumpkin the often very intense color. Secondary plant substances act against free radicals in the organism, which promote the development of tumor diseases. Pumpkin flesh is low in calories, since it consists of 95 percent water. One hundred grams of pumpkin provide only 21 kcal.
Intolerances and allergies
Adverse reactions after eating pure pumpkin meat have not been reported, even among highly allergic individuals. There may always be a risk of allergy with preparations containing special spices or other additives, but this risk does not arise from garden squash.
Shopping and kitchen tips
When harvesting garden squash, care must be taken to leave a piece of the stem on the ripened fruit. The skin of the fruit must be completely intact if the pumpkins are to be stored. The pumpkins can be stored in a cool and dry place for several months. It is also possible to freeze the pumpkin flesh. To do this, it must be cut into small pieces and put in boiling water for two minutes. After cooling, the pieces can be wrapped and placed in the freezer. Another option is to make the pumpkin flesh into mush and freeze it in portions. Each variety has a special flavor, it is worth trying different pumpkins. For example, butternut squash tastes slightly sweet, while squash, reminiscent of a UFO, has a subtle nutmeg flavor. Those who arrange autumnal decorations on the doorstep should make sure that the fruits are protected from frost. Later, the garden pumpkins can still be used in the kitchen. Small and tender fruits can be stewed whole. In the case of the bright orange Hokkaido pumpkin, the skin can also be eaten. Large pumpkin specimens are hollowed out. The rough shells of the huge fruits are not suitable for consumption.
Preparation tips
Besides pumpkin soup and pumpkin compote, there are more ways to prepare the pumpkin flesh. Pumpkin can be cooked into sweet jams, young pumpkins can be used raw as an addition to salads. Pumpkinism can serve as a filling in dumplings, pumpkin cubes taste great in risotto, and steamed pumpkin wedges go well as a side dish topped with cheese for vegetarian or meat dishes. Pumpkin soups can always be varied in taste by adding spices. Especially suitable, in addition to salt and pepper, curry, coriander, nutmeg, and cream or coconut milk to taste. Not only pumpkin dishes win, if they are refined with roasted pumpkin seeds and a few drops of pumpkin seed oil.
