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The benefits of vegetables and fruits have been known for a long time. To preserve their useful properties for the winter, housewives resort to various methods of preservation. Dried pumpkin stands out among vegetables due to its ease of preparation and beneficial properties.
The benefits and harms of dried pumpkin
The benefits of dried pumpkin have been known for centuries. Pumpkin was used by healers and healers in the manufacture of medicines, ointments and tinctures. It is rich in beta-carotene, pectin and easily digestible sugars. The chemical composition is also amazing – calcium, phosphorus, fluorine, zinc, copper, iron, magnesium, sodium and potassium. In addition, pumpkin fruits are rich in vitamins A, C, E, Pp, as well as rare vitamin K and T, and these substances are responsible for rejuvenating the body.
With such an excellent composition, dried pumpkin is able to have a magical effect on the human body. Regular eating helps fight depression, insomnia. Also, dried pumpkin has a positive effect on the body’s immune system and helps with spring beriberi. Other positive properties of this product include:
- Eye protection from acute inflammatory diseases, vision support.
- Strengthening the walls of blood vessels and normalizing blood pressure.
- Removal of toxins and toxins from the digestive system.
- Cleansing the kidneys due to diuretic properties. Dissolution of stones in the kidneys and bladder.
- Relieve pain in cardiovascular disease. Stabilization of the heart rate.
- Tissue regeneration and natural rejuvenation of the body.
For all its usefulness, there are several limitations when using this product. Doctors advise avoiding it for people suffering from acid-base imbalance or diabetes. Also, do not forget that with increased acidity of gastric juice, dried pumpkin can cause gastritis and other damage to the stomach.
dried pumpkin calories
When dried, the pumpkin loses most of the water, so the sugar content in its composition increases. The table of energy value of dried pumpkin per 100 g of the product is as follows:
- proteins – 1,8 g;
- fats – 0 g;
- carbohydrates – 8,4 g.
The total calorie content of the product is 41 kcal. Such low values make pumpkin an excellent helper in losing weight. Its inclusion in the diet allows you to achieve impressive results in a short time.
How to dry a pumpkin
The basis of an excellent dried product is the correct choice of variety. Do not use fodder species. The best choice would be late-ripening and hard-barked varieties – Canteen Sweet, Buttercup, Winter Sweet and Blue Hubbard. The use of early ripening “Acorn” is possible, but due to the greater water content, the drying process will be delayed for a long time.
Pumpkin fruits must be whole, without visible damage. They should not have plaque and suspicious spots. A prerequisite is the integrity of the tail – this is a kind of guarantor of the preservation of the juiciness of the fruit and the absence of internal damage.
Preparation of pumpkin for drying takes place in several stages. Initially, the fruits are washed in running water and wiped dry. Then they are cut in half and the fibrous core with bones is removed. After that, the peel is removed from it and cut into small slices about 3-4 cm.
Outdoor drying pumpkin
The easiest method to prepare dried pumpkin is to dry it outdoors. The only condition for this is sunny weather and constant supervision. In this case, the process is delayed in time up to 2 weeks.
First you need to spread the pre-cut pieces of pulp on a baking sheet and cover them with parchment paper – this will avoid direct sunlight and provide excellent ventilation. Once a day, the pieces must be turned over. After a week of such drying, you can remove the parchment and continue drying in direct sunlight. The product will be ready in a week.
Recipe dried pumpkin in the oven
Oven drying is a fairly common method of cooking vegetables. To do this, it is necessary to spread the pieces on a baking sheet in one layer, leaving a small space between them. During cooking, the oven door should be kept ajar to allow excess moisture to evaporate.
Initially, the oven is heated to 60 degrees, after which a baking sheet is placed in it. In this mode, 5 hours pass, then the baking sheet is taken out and the pieces are turned over. Next, the oven is already heated to 80 degrees, and the vegetable is heated for about 2 or 3 more hours until fully cooked.
Sweet pieces of pumpkin dried in the oven
Even though the finished dish itself contains enough sugar, some people strive to achieve maximum sugar content. The result is a dessert dish. To do this, pieces of pumpkin are boiled in sugar syrup for 5 minutes, and then rolled in sugar or powdered sugar.
Regarding the oven temperature, remember that excessive heat will cause the sugar to caramelize quickly. The maximum possible temperature for this procedure will be 50 degrees. At the same time, the total drying time, taking into account one turning over of the pieces, increases to 9-10 hours.
How to dry a pumpkin in a dryer
The use of modern methods of drying vegetables and fruits greatly facilitates the work of housewives. An automatic electric dryer allows you to get a high quality product without much hassle. At the same time, its several levels allow you to cook a large amount of goodies at a time.
First of all, slices of pumpkin are laid out on each of the grates of the dryer. There should be empty spaces between the slices for better air circulation. After installing all the grids in place, close the lid of the dryer, turn on the device for 2 hours, after which each of the pieces should be turned over. The temperature in the device is automatically maintained at 50-60 degrees. The total cooking time is up to 12 hours.
What can be cooked from dried pumpkin
The finished product has a sweet taste and retains all the useful properties of a fresh product, so it is often used in combination with other dried fruits to prepare various vitamin mixtures. The most popular dried pumpkin recipe is:
- 100 g of finished pumpkin;
- Xnumx g dried apricots;
- 100 g walnuts;
- a peel of one lemon;
- 100 g liquid honey.
All ingredients are ground through a meat grinder and mixed. The finished mixture is placed in a jar. Daily use of 1 tbsp. l. such a product allows you to forget about the lack of vitamins and improves overall well-being.
How to store dried pumpkin
Compliance with the correct storage conditions allows you to extend the shelf life of the finished product by an order of magnitude. The best option for a pumpkin is a room with a relative humidity of no more than 60% and an air temperature of 10-15 degrees. A prerequisite is the absence of direct sunlight. The finished product is stored in cloth bags or tightly sealed glass jars.
A pumpkin protected from harmful insects can be stored for up to one and a half to two years. Violation of storage conditions leads to the rapid appearance of mold and damage to the product. There is a secret that can extend the shelf life by a couple of months. At the bottom of the jar where dried vegetables are stored, you need to put a couple of leaves of parchment paper – this will absorb excess moisture.
Conclusion
Dried pumpkin is a storehouse of useful vitamins and minerals. Its miraculous effect on the body makes it a constant assistant in maintaining immunity. The simple method of preparing this dish will provide the family with a supply of nutrients for the whole year until the next harvest.
