Pumpkin is a valuable product that helps to normalize metabolic processes in gastric juice. In addition, the pectin in this vegetable lowers cholesterol levels and helps eliminate it from the body. Pumpkin also contains glucose, calcium, potassium, zinc, fluoride and various trace elements. To preserve as much of these vitamins and nutrients as possible during harvesting, you can use freezing, but this must be done correctly.
Instructions
Step 1
Vegetables used for freezing must always be fresh, preferably freshly harvested from the garden. Select good, intact, strong fruits, peel them.
Step 2
Rinse the pumpkin in running water, the last time in warm water, about 60-70 degrees. Then spread the vegetables on a clean, dry towel and let dry. Cut the pumpkin into pieces or cubes no more than 3.5 cm thick.
Step 3
Scientists advise that most vegetables should be blanched or steamed before freezing. This is done in order to deactivate natural enzymes that can lead to a change in the taste of the product or the loss of nutrients.
Step 4
The blanching process is carried out as follows: put the prepared vegetables in a colander and lower them in boiling water, then lower them in ice for the same time to immediately stop the cooking process. Repeat this several times. Make sure that the cold water is really cold, as it heats up after contact with hot vegetables.
Step 5
Dry the pumpkin after blanching and place in prepared plastic bags. At the same time, leave as little air space in the package as possible, sealing the vegetables well. Usually 200-500 grams of product are packaged in each bag. You cannot defrost the product, take part and put the rest back into the freezer, so follow a simple rule: each bag must be designed for one use.
Step 6
If you freeze different foods, be sure to sign the packages. Then put the prepared bags in the freezer compartment.
Step 7
You can also freeze a mixture of vegetables such as pumpkin along with carrots, celery, and onions. This mixture can then be used for sauces and soups. Alternatively, you can first make the pumpkin puree by boiling the pumpkin and freeze the vegetable in the puree form.
