Pumpkin – a true source of vitamins
Brief history of pumpkin
According to some sources, pumpkin was actively cultivated as early as 5.5-8 thousand years ago. was brought to Europe from South America and quickly took an important place in the kitchen and even in medicine. In our modern world, it’s just a tasty and beautiful vegetable, but the original attitude towards pumpkin was slightly different: it was considered a raw material for the manufacture of medicines. It was used to make ointments and used in folk medicine as a remedy for worms.
What is in pumpkin?
The pumpkin is a true , and many of them are found not only in the pulp, but also in the seeds and flowers. There are 4-5 times more carotenes in pumpkin than in carrots. Carotenes are converted in the body into vitamin A, which is particularly beneficial for vision and is a powerful antioxidant. Pumpkin contains vitamins C, E, K and almost all B vitamins. Additionally, pumpkin seeds are high in micronutrients and are in the top three for zinc content. Pumpkin is considered a perfect diet product because of its low calorie content, as it contains no starch, no cholesterol and no trans fats, little sugar, but a lot of useful fiber for digestion. The calorie content of 100 g of pulp is only 22 kcal.
Is raw pumpkin healthy?
Eating raw pumpkin is contraindicated in people with inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and in people with gallbladder and kidney stones, since pumpkin has a choleretic effect and can provoke stone movement. Raw vegetables are more difficult to digest and are not recommended for small children and the elderly. Diabetics should also avoid over-indulging in pumpkin, as it can spike blood sugar levels. Pumpkin is often used in diet therapy. This low-calorie, due to the high proportion of fiber, reduces appetite and normalizes metabolism. Pumpkin has soothing, anti-inflammatory and choleretic effects, so a small amount is beneficial for people suffering from constipation. The high content of potassium in the pulp reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and strengthens the walls of blood vessels, which is extremely beneficial for people suffering from atherosclerosis and high blood pressure.
Why are pumpkin seeds healthy?
Pumpkin has a positive effect on the male reproductive system. The pulp of the vegetable has a high concentration of vitamin E, tocopherol, which translates from Greek as “bearing fruit”. The pumpkin seeds contain a lot of zinc: 30 g cover up to 70% of the daily requirement. Pumpkin seeds also hold the record for the highest L-arginine content. Together they have a significant impact on the body as a whole: they are involved in the synthesis of testosterone, normalize the functioning of the prostate, improve the cardiovascular system, and affect the ability to have an erection. Face masks made from the pulp of the fruit and compresses from the juice of the fruit pulp are used in cosmetology to moisturize the skin, relieve inflammation and achieve a radiant complexion. The oil extract accelerates the healing of epidermal damage.
Using pumpkin in the kitchen
There are recipes with pumpkin in almost every kitchen in the world. You can prepare appetizers, main courses, desserts and pastries with pumpkin. These vegetables can be used to make baby purees, paps and baked goods – there are no limits to your imagination. In Italy, even the flowers fried in batter are used in dishes. Raw pumpkin is added to. The pumpkin is characterized by the fact that it still contains a significant amount of nutrients even after cooking. Pumpkin can be cooked in many different ways. There’s steamed squash, , stewed squash, and even roasted squash.
Pumpkin side dishes are often prepared with meat, e.g. in the oven, pumpkin in a pot with meat. Pumpkin and meat dishes are prepared with a combination of other vegetables, potatoes and onions. Pumpkin dishes with chicken are very popular, they are hearty, tasty and easy to prepare. For those who are on a diet, lean pumpkin dishes are suitable. In the oven, the pumpkin becomes very tender and tasty at the same time. With this, vegans get their money’s worth. Also with quark or noodles, soufflés get a pleasant sweetness from the pumpkin. has a very interesting taste and wonderful aroma. Many recipes with pumpkin can of course also be prepared for children. Pumpkin dishes for children are usually prepared with steamed or boiled pumpkin, e.g. B. , pumpkin and apples or pumpkin and chicken, pumpkin stew with vegetables and other diet pumpkin dishes. Simple and delicious pumpkin baking recipes include pies, , cookies, scones, muffins and of course .
Halloween Pumpkin Head
One of the scariest and most unusual holidays is Halloween. The pumpkin has become his true symbol and is as familiar as the Christmas tree on New Year’s Eve. The night of October 31 to November 1 is actively celebrated in different parts of the world. You can prepare a lot for this. A jack-o’-lantern with an evil but funny face is perhaps the most well-known symbol of Halloween, the eve of All Saints’ Day in Catholicism. The carving of such lights in English speaking countries has a long history and is associated with many ancient Irish legends. It is believed that pumpkin heads carved in this way lying near the house ward off evil spirits.
