It's pumpkin month, not just because Halloween is coming up, but also because this vegetable is the star of both decor and seasonal cuisine. A kitchen that smells of pumpkin baking with cinnamon will invigorate your senses and warm your soul in this month of warm sweaters and hot teas.
Pumpkins are gaining more and more popularity over time, but have you thought about what makes them so special? In this article we've put together some pumpkin trivia that I hope will give you a new perspective on this product.
- It's hard to name another plant that has all its parts as edible as the pumpkin. Do you know how delicious pumpkin flowers are? Whenever I can find them, I cook something delicious with pumpkin flowers. In Korea, pumpkin leaves are also used to make a kind of kimchi.
- Pumpkin seeds are extremely healthy. They are full of micronutrients that strengthen the cardiovascular system. They are among the three foods with the highest zinc content (after oysters and sesame seeds).
About 30 g of peeled pumpkin seeds, which is almost 150 pieces, is recommended daily for men after 40 years of age to improve the hormonal background, prevent prostate diseases and erection problems.
- It takes approximately 30-40 medium pumpkins to produce one liter of pumpkin seed oil. The oil helps to reduce cholesterol levels in the body and prevent cardiovascular diseases. It is rich in vitamins A, E and K, selenium, phytosterols and linoleic acid.
- Pumpkins have five times more vitamin A and beta than carrots. If you want to get an even and beautiful tan, before going to the beach, drink a glass of pumpkin juice. Useful substances in the composition of the vegetable will not let the ultraviolet harm the skin.
- In an extreme situation, when there is no medication at hand, pumpkin pulp can replace a powerful anti-burn remedy. Grated pumpkin pulp has a beneficial effect on the skin, relieving inflammation around the damaged area.
- Pumpkin is a champion among vegetables rich in iron, which makes it an indispensable product in the treatment of anemia.
- Just one cup of pumpkin juice can provide your body with more than 500 mg of potassium. Potassium is an extremely important nutrient that reduces the risk of diabetes, stroke and high blood pressure.
- Pumpkins are high in fiber. And this is not always good. The pulp of the fruit consists of 90% water, and in 100 g only 20-30 kcal. These properties of pumpkin make the product dietary, but cooked dishes turn out very nutritious. The reason is the large amount of fiber, which brings a feeling of quick satiety. This fact has a downside: a large amount of dietary fiber in the composition of pumpkin dishes often causes abdominal bloating and diarrhea, sometimes heartburn and unpleasant belching.
- The benefit of pumpkin for a diabetic patient is that its products stimulate the body's own insulin production. Pumpkin can be used to make desserts to replace chocolate and sweets for diabetics.
- Pumpkin contains lutein and its isomer zeaxanthin, which protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays and degenerative diseases. In order for these substances to be better absorbed from pumpkin, it should be eaten together with vegetable fats, e.g. seasoned with olive oil.
- Muscat pumpkins are very flavorful and contain the highest amount of carotene. Under normal room conditions, they can be stored for up to three years.
These are just a few curious facts about pumpkin that I thought you might find useful.
What other interesting things about pumpkin do you know?
Since it's pumpkin season, I also want to share with you a few pumpkin recipes that my family and I just adore. All of them are delicious and, as usual, easy to prepare.