Pumpkins are delicious and super cheap when in season, but preserving them this way causes them to spoil quickly and lose all their nutrients.

Family and Society - Pumpkin is a familiar, nutritious fruit that is currently in its best season. However, many people make mistakes when storing pumpkins after cutting them, causing them to spoil quickly, lose nutrients, and become very wasteful.

Pumpkin – an inexpensive and nutritious autumn food.

Pumpkins are a familiar food item, abundant during this autumn season. According to our reporter's research, the price at markets in Hanoi ranges from 15,000 to 20,000 VND per kilogram. Wholesale prices are lower for bulk buyers.

Many housewives also say that with the current relatively low price of pumpkin, it is a cost-effective and nutritious choice for family meals. Pumpkin can be used to prepare many delicious dishes, such as: pumpkin soup with bone broth, stir-fried pumpkin, pumpkin dessert, boiled pumpkin, etc.

Pumpkins are inexpensive compared to many other vegetables at this time of year. Photo: PT (Taken at La Duong market)

According to Ms. Anh, a small vendor at La Duong market, pumpkins are available almost year-round, but they are at their best in the autumn. Because this crop is easy to grow and harvest, the supply is abundant and the price is stable. This fruit is usually not expensive compared to other vegetables and fruits.

When choosing pumpkins, people should select those with bright, deep, and dark skins, as older pumpkins tend to be sweeter. Good pumpkins will have firm, heavy skins, clear veins, and fresh stems; avoid pumpkins that show signs of wilting or bruising. If buying pumpkins in pieces, choose those with orange-yellow flesh, a dry, non-slimy surface, and a characteristic aroma.

Choose pumpkins with bright, deep-colored skins, as older pumpkins tend to be sweeter. (Photo: PT)

Why shouldn't you put freshly cut pumpkin directly into the refrigerator?

Pumpkins are usually large, weighing several kilograms. For small families, using an entire pumpkin for one or two meals is difficult when buying a whole one. Once a pumpkin is cut, it often spoils if not stored properly. Throwing it away would be wasteful. Therefore, knowing how to preserve a cut pumpkin from spoiling isn't something everyone knows.

Many people think that simply putting pumpkins in the refrigerator will keep them fresh. In reality, this method actually causes pumpkins to spoil faster. When fresh pumpkins are stored directly in the refrigerator, the flesh is exposed to high humidity, easily absorbing moisture, quickly decomposing, becoming slimy, and losing nutrients.

How to preserve a pumpkin so it doesn't spoil after it's been cut?

To preserve pumpkins for a long time without them spoiling, and to keep them sweet and tender like when they were freshly picked, everyone should refer to the following method as instructed by Ms. Thu Duyen (Hanoi):

After partially cutting the pumpkin for a meal, if there's any left over, clean the surface and wipe it dry with a paper towel or clean cloth. Once dry, you can cut the pumpkin into large pieces, use a dry spoon to scoop out all the pulp and seeds, and peel off the skin. During preparation, be careful not to let water get into the pumpkin flesh. When finished, cut the pumpkin into small pieces and put them into individual zip-lock bags according to your family's needs, avoiding cramming them into one bag. Vacuum sealing is even better. Then, freeze them for preservation.

To preserve the flavor of frozen pumpkin, before freezing, you can steam it until it can be easily pierced with chopsticks. Let the pumpkin cool before placing it in a zip-lock bag, removing the air, and freezing it.

To preserve pumpkin, divide it into bite-sized portions and store them in zip-lock bags. Photo: Thu Duyen

According to Ms. Duyen, pumpkins can be frozen raw or cooked and will last a long time. After freezing, you can use them to prepare dishes such as soups, stews, and porridge without thawing. Or you can steam them or make cakes, all of which are good for your health.

Pumpkin is sweet, fragrant, and delicious, and good for health at all ages. Eating pumpkin regularly can improve digestive health, boost immunity, protect eyesight, and slow down the aging process.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/bi-do-vao-mua-ngon-gia-sieu-re-nhung-bao-quan-cach-nay-khien-qua-nhanh-hong-mat-sach-chat-dinh-duong-172250910090128318.htm