Pumpkin honey: cooking at home

The favorite delicacy of the long-livers of the Caucasus was pumpkin honey – a source of beauty and health. This is a unique product that is hard to find on store shelves. There is little nectar in pumpkin flowers to collect at least a liter of honey, bees need to work hard and for a long time. However, a natural product can be prepared at home.

The benefits and harms of pumpkin honey

The composition of the unique product includes:

• vitamins of group B, C, PP, E;
• minerals: calcium, phosphorus, manganese, iodine, iron;
• essential oils;
• phytosterols;
• organic acids;
• cellulose;
• fructose;
• pectins;
• flavonoids;
• carotenoids.

The calorie content of pumpkin honey depends on the region of collection and the method of preparation. The difference between the indicators can be 10%. On average, 100 g of the product contains 303 kcal. Pumpkin honey contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and water (18 g of water per 100 g of product). The amount of flavonoids and carotenoids in pumpkin honey is much higher than in other varieties.

Pumpkin nectar cleanses the body of toxins and toxins, improves digestion. The product is famous for its diuretic effect, so it is recommended for edema. Another useful property of pumpkin nectar is a decrease in the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood. It helps fight atherosclerosis and improves the condition in cardiovascular diseases. It is also recommended for use in pathologies of the kidneys and bladder.

Natural pumpkin nectar has a bactericidal property. It strengthens the immune system, which increases the body’s resistance to various diseases. Due to the abundance of useful properties, the product is actively used in traditional medicine.

However, the product contains fast carbohydrates, which do not give a long feeling of satiety and contribute to the set of extra pounds with excessive use. Nutritionists do not recommend eating pumpkin honey for breakfast, because after a few hours the feeling of hunger will return.

How to make pumpkin honey

Cooking the product at home slightly changes its composition, but the beneficial properties are preserved. To get healthy honey, you need to have the necessary components on hand: pumpkin, sugar, ordinary nectar. The process does not require special skills and a lot of time, but the choice of pumpkin should be taken seriously. After all, the quality of the prepared product depends on it.

You need to choose a vegetable of a bright color. The tail must be dry. Ripe pumpkin contains a full composition of useful elements. To prepare honey, it must be washed and cleaned of seeds.

White sugar is the most affordable, but also less useful. For the preparation of nectar, it is better to use brown refined sugar, but its cost is higher.

How to make pumpkin honey with sugar

To prepare pumpkin nectar with sugar, you need to take a medium-sized ripe vegetable, wash it, cut off the top and free it from the insides. Then you need to fill the pumpkin with sugar to the brim. Gradually, the refined sugar will thaw, and the vegetable will begin to secrete juice, so you need to put a container under it, cover it with the previously cut top and place it in a dark, cool place.

The softened crust of the vegetable indicates the readiness of the nectar. Usually it takes 10 days. Then the infused syrup is poured into a glass jar. Over time, mold can form on the top. Nothing wrong with that. It must be carefully removed and poured into a container.

Rules for cooking with honey

Instead of sugar, you can use honey of other varieties (acacia, buckwheat, linden). Cooking rules are similar to the above method:

1. It is necessary to choose a ripe pumpkin, wash, cut off the top and clean from the internal contents.
2. Fill to the brim with honey.
3. Substitute a container under the bottom and leave for 7-10 days in a cool dark place.
4. Stir contents once a day.
5. Pour the pumpkin honey into a glass jar.

A honey recipe contains more vitamins and minerals than a sugar-based product.

Express preparation of pumpkin honey

This method allows you to quickly and easily prepare a healthy product at home. For the recipe, you need 1 kg of pumpkin pulp and 0,5 cups of sugar.

Ripe and washed pumpkin must be peeled and entrails, cut into small cubes. Place in a deep bowl and sprinkle with sugar. Leave the mixture for 30-40 minutes so that the refined sugar absorbs useful substances. Then the contents must be transferred to a metal container and simmer for 30 minutes in a steam bath. Don’t forget to stir. In the process, nectar will be released, which must be drained. At the end of the time, the pumpkin must be moved to a colander and wait until it gives up all the syrup. Store pumpkin honey in a glass jar.

How to make honey from pumpkin with nuts

Nuts are added to the nectar after cooking. You can use any of the above methods. Hazelnuts, cashews, hazelnuts or walnuts are added to the finished mixture. It all depends on taste preferences.

Recipe with lemon

This recipe will come in handy during the cold season. For cooking you will need the following ingredients:

• 150 g honey (buckwheat, acacia or linden);
• Xnumx gourd;
• 20-30 g of ginger;
• Xnumx lemon.

Lemons should be washed well, placed in a deep container and poured with boiling water for 1-2 minutes. This procedure will soften the peel and relieve the fruit of excess bitterness.

Preparation:

1. Lemons must be cut into large slices, seeds removed.
2. Peel the ginger and pumpkin from the peel, cut into medium cubes.
3. Skip all the ingredients through a meat grinder.
4. Add honey to the finished mass, mix well and pour into a glass jar.

Ready mix is ​​recommended to use within 1 week. This composition is taken 3 times a day, one tablespoon 20-30 minutes before meals. Also, pumpkin honey with lemon can be drunk with tea for colds or used as a filling for pancakes.

Cooking pumpkin honey with herbs

Pumpkin nectar in combination with herbal infusions is used for violations of the liver. Dry herbs can be bought at the pharmacy. You need to take 1 tbsp. l. yarrow, nettle, knotweed. Mix and pour a glass of boiling water. Insist for a day. Pumpkin honey is added before drinking. A teaspoon of the product is stirred in a glass of broth.

To overcome a cold, use chamomile, thyme and linden (1 tsp each). Herbs need to be combined, pour 1 liter of boiling water and put on medium heat. After 5 minutes, remove and leave for 2-3 hours. Pumpkin honey is added to a cup before use (1-2 tsp).

How to take pumpkin honey

There are no strict restrictions on the intake of nectar. It is consumed with tea, used as a filling for pancakes or simply as a favorite treat. However, the product should not be abused. Due to the fast carbohydrates that it contains, you can quickly gain weight.

Pumpkin nectar is an indispensable supplement in the cold season. It also calms the nerves and relieves stress. Regular use of this product will significantly improve the physical condition.

How to drink pumpkin honey during pregnancy

Nectar contains a large amount of carotenoids. They are necessary for a woman during pregnancy, as they contribute to the synthesis of vitamin A. Flavonoids, which are also part of the nectar, preserve the beauty and elasticity of the skin of expectant mothers. These plant antioxidants prevent the development of pathological processes in the body, protect the cells of the child.

Medical studies have proven that drinking pumpkin nectar reduces the risk of disease in the unborn child. Pregnant women who regularly consumed the product gave birth to healthy and strong children. Pumpkin contains vitamins of various groups that contribute to the growth and full development of the fetus. Useful elements maintain the balance of minerals in the mother’s body.

Pregnant women can take pumpkin honey in the amount required by the body. However, it should not be abused.

The product is well absorbed even by a weakened body. It is included in the diet of young children. Pumpkin honey is also recommended for mothers who have given birth and adults who have suffered severe physical or moral injuries.

Restrictions and contraindications for admission

Before drinking pumpkin nectar, you need to know its medicinal properties and contraindications. It is necessary to refuse reception in such conditions:

• allergy to bee products and components of the composition;
• diabetes mellitus (the product contains a lot of glucose, which is prohibited in this condition);
• pathology of the kidneys against the background of diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which are characterized by low acidity.

Excessive consumption of nectar will have to be abandoned by overweight people. For chronic diseases of the internal organs, you should consult a doctor.

Rules for storing pumpkin honey

It is not recommended to store nectar longer than 1 month. Otherwise, the product will lose most of its useful properties.

Natural honey is kept in a dry, cool place. The lid must be airtight, as the product absorbs moisture from the environment. It is best to store the nectar in the refrigerator.

Conclusion

Pumpkin honey is a useful product that strengthens the immune system and fights various diseases. Moderate consumption of nectar will saturate the body with useful substances, improve physical and mental condition, cleanse the blood of “bad” cholesterol. However, pumpkin nectar is not allowed for everyone. If there are contraindications, you should consult your doctor.