How to properly freeze pumpkin at home for the winter. How to keep complementary foods healthy - how to freeze pumpkin for complementary feeding Frozen pumpkin for the winter recipes

A healthy body is considered a real treasure for a person who leads an active lifestyle. To constantly maintain it, you need vitamins, and freezing pumpkin for the winter is a wonderful opportunity to stock up on them. As you know, the fruit is well preserved in the basement, provided that there are no scratches, cracks and there is a dry root. But not everyone can afford such luxury. It is quite difficult to store large fruits in a city apartment. And when cut, they quickly deteriorate and lose their valuable properties. What is the best way to solve this problem? Let's find out what the experts say.

Freezing pumpkin for the winter: proper preparation of the product

Since ancient times, gardeners have valued the unique pumpkin fruit for its beneficial properties, excellent taste and external beauty. It contains a whole arsenal of vital elements for the body:

• carotene;
• pectin;
• potassium;
• carbohydrates;
• cellulose;
• vitamins of group B, C, E, D.

Therefore, sensible housewives try to serve the fruit as often as possible for family meals. They often wonder whether it is possible to freeze pumpkin for storage in order to prepare various dishes from it in winter. Experienced cooks confirm the effectiveness of this method. The main thing is to make preparations according to accepted rules.

To prevent vegetable slices from sticking together during storage, they should be placed in small bags or containers. This makes it much more convenient to use the product for cooking.

There are several options for freezing bright vegetables for the winter, which are practiced by true connoisseurs of the healthy fruit. Some housewives cut it into pieces, put it in plastic bags, and then place it in the freezer. Unfortunately, the product turns out watery and is only suitable for making purees. Experts advise freezing pumpkin for the winter in three variations:

• raw product;
• boiled;
• baked.

This approach allows you to determine in advance for what purpose the semi-finished product will be used:

• garnish;
• pie filling;
• baby food;
• pancakes.

When the goal has been set, you can start freezing the pumpkin for the winter at home and the first step is preparatory work.

Suitable fruit is the key to success

First, select a sufficiently ripe product of any variety. It must meet the requirements:

• small size;
• elongated shape;
• no visible cracks;
• no darkening;
• no dents;
• dry root;
• bright orange color of the pulp;
• pleasant aroma.

It is then washed thoroughly under running water to remove any remaining soil or debris. Using a sharp knife, cut the vegetable in half. Remove the seeds with fibrous pulp. Wipe the resulting craters with a kitchen towel or napkin.

It is advisable to wash the seeds, dry them and eat them raw on an empty stomach. This is a wonderful method of fighting worms.

Methods for slicing raw product

Depending on the chosen harvesting method, cutting is done. Some housewives doubt whether it is possible to freeze pumpkin with peel to increase the volume of the product. Experienced cooks have noticed that when raw it is very tough, so it is better to remove it. To do this, cut the pumpkin into several parts and carefully remove the peel. Then chop:

• cubes;
• straws;
• long stripes;
• on a coarse grater.

Each housewife chooses an option that is suitable for her winter menu.

Let's look at the main ways to store pumpkin in the refrigerator.

Freezing raw fruit

First of all, remove the peel from the vegetable. Cut into cubes of various sizes. If the preparation is made for filling pies, small options are suitable. For preparing hot dishes, large sizes are allowed. Next, they are laid out on a countertop or cutting board covered with cling film. When the cubes are a little dry, put them in the freezer. After 30 minutes, the finished product is transferred to bags or special containers. The grated pumpkin is packaged and immediately placed in a chamber with a temperature of –18°C.

It is advisable to label bags of grated product. When frozen, they are very similar to carrots.

Boiled product for all occasions

Young mothers should know how to freeze pumpkin for the winter to feed small children. Since this product is an important ingredient for babies, it needs to be prepared in such a way as to preserve the beneficial elements. To do this, pumpkin is cooked in the following ways:

1. Boil water in a large container. Place the slices there for a few minutes. When they soften, take them out immediately.
2. Heat treatment in a microwave oven. Vegetable pieces are placed in a special bowl. Set to maximum power and cook for 15 minutes.
3. Using a steamer. For a quarter of an hour, the product is kept over steam. Place the finished pumpkin in a colander to drain the water.

Whatever cooking method is used, the main thing is to bring the fruit to a soft state. After this, it is crushed to a homogeneous consistency and placed in bags, cups or small containers. The cooled pieces are placed in the freezer.

It is advisable to freeze pumpkin for the winter to feed children in small containers in order to rationally use the product.

Storing baked “queen” vitamin

As you know, pumpkin prepared in this way is considered a particularly healthy product. Even when frozen, it does not lose its properties. The fruit is baked in two ways: cubes or slices. In the first case, you need to remove the peel, in the second, the product is cleaned after heat treatment.

The finished pumpkin is crushed using a masher or a table fork. The puree is placed in small molds or silicone cups.

Try filling ice cube trays with pumpkin puree. After freezing, unpack the finished cubes into thick plastic bags.

We prepare excellent treats from frozen pumpkin

Before you start preparing the amber fruit, you need to properly defrost the ingredient. There are several basic rules:

• Pumpkin pieces are immediately immersed in boiling water;
• the finished puree is placed on the lower tier of the refrigerator for several hours;
• a homogeneous mass of vegetables is defrosted in a microwave oven;
• the grated product is added at the very end of cooking.

Let's look at popular recipes for frozen pumpkin for the winter, which are offered by experienced chefs.

Fragrant casserole

The dish is often served for breakfast or dinner. It has excellent taste and aroma. To prepare you will need ingredients:

• 0.5 kg frozen pumpkin;
• juicy (200 g);
• chicken eggs (2 or 3 pieces);
• semolina (100 g);
• granulated sugar (tablespoon);
• butter (150 g);
• a pinch of baking soda;
• salt according to the cook's preference.

First you need to figure out how to cook frozen pumpkin for casserole to get an excellent delicacy. To do this, place it in hot water and boil until soft. Then the liquid is drained, salt is added and mashed with a masher.

Add grated apples, butter, semolina, and soda to the cooled puree. After this, the ingredients are mixed and poured with eggs beaten with sugar. The finished pulp is transferred to a baking dish covered with foil or special paper. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes at a maximum temperature of 200° C.

Charlotte for dessert

For those who don’t know what can be made from frozen pumpkin, culinary experts offer a simple recipe for charlotte. To prepare it you will need the following products:

• frozen pumpkin;
• flour;
• eggs;
• sugar;
• soda or baking powder;
• salt to taste.

Prepare regular charlotte dough in a separate container. Next, a baking pan with high sides is covered with parchment. Pieces of frozen raw pumpkin are placed on the bottom. Vegetables are poured with the prepared dough. Bake in the oven at a temperature of approximately 180° C. Serve the dish for breakfast or dinner.

Practice shows that many dishes can be prepared from frozen pumpkin. The main thing is to get inspired, turn on your imagination and act. Let there always be on the table the amber “queen” of vegetables – Her Majesty – “Pumpkin”.

Video recipes for freezing pumpkin

Pumpkin is one of the few plants that can survive winter for a long time, even at room temperature. In addition to the fact that it is an indispensable element of decor, it is also a very useful product. What are its benefits and how to properly freeze this vegetable?

All about pumpkin:

Frozen pumpkin: is there any benefit?

Pumpkin is an amazing vegetable, because it does not bring such benefits to the human body as any other plant. Even when frozen, this product contains:

• Potassium, iron, fluorine, silicon and other useful elements;
• Vitamins A, D, E, F, B1, B2;
• Fiber, which greatly helps with constipation, and also removes toxins from the body and normalizes metabolism;
• A substance that inhibits the growth of tuberculosis bacillus.

Pumpkin can be consumed:

• Hypertensive patients and those people with cardiovascular diseases;
• Suffering from high acidity in the stomach;
• People with gallbladder and liver diseases;
• For those who cannot fall asleep without the help of medication;
• Having kidney or urinary tract diseases;
• Suffering from caries.

Pumpkin also helps fight worms, removes excess water and salts from the body, and promotes the healing of wounds, cuts, and other skin damage.

Preparation

Any preparatory stage will begin with harvesting. Ripe vegetables that have no visible damage are suitable for storing for the winter.

Then the pumpkin must be thoroughly washed, cut in half and all seeds removed.

If the plant will be frozen raw, the peel should be removed in advance. To do this, proceed as follows:

• Place the vegetable on a cutting board;
• Cut off up and down;
• Peel the pumpkin peel vertically.

ATTENTION: If the vegetable will be pureed, then it is better to remove the peel after the baking process.

Methods for freezing raw pumpkin

Freeze raw pumpkin in the freezer. But first you need to decide what dishes will be prepared. The method of cutting the plant will depend on this. For example, to prepare manti, pumpkin is cut into small pieces, and for cooking - into large pieces.

• Peel the vegetable from the inside that is not suitable for consumption;
• Remove the peel;
• Cut into slices, then into cubes;
• Leave the pieces to dry a little;
• Place the pumpkin in bags and place in the freezer.

How to freeze for the winter:

Methods for freezing pumpkin after heat treatment

A fairly popular method is to first blanch the vegetable and then freeze it.

They operate according to the following scheme:

• Pumpkin is cut into cubes;
• Place vegetables in a colander;
• The latter is immersed in boiling water for 2-3 minutes;
• After this, immediately immerse in cold water for the same time;
• Place the pieces on a towel and let them dry.

To prevent the pumpkin from turning into one big lump during freezing, the dried pieces are laid out on a tray and pre-frozen in the freezer. Only after this they are portioned out into bags. It is better to label bags of pumpkin so as not to confuse them with carrots later.

Is it possible and how to properly freeze fresh pumpkin:

Packaging and storage

To store this vegetable use:

• Plastic containers;
• Plastic bags;
• Suitable container size.

Pumpkin can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 year.

Preparing pumpkins for the winter. Vacuum the pumpkin:

For a child

Pumpkin is sweet in taste and therefore can be frozen for feeding infants. It can be frozen either separately in pieces or as part of vegetable mixtures, from which puree will then be prepared.

You can puree baked pumpkin and then freeze it.

Defrosting

Thaw pumpkin puree in the microwave or refrigerator.

If this vegetable is cut into pieces, then it is immediately placed in boiling water, milk or broth. Baked pumpkin is added only at the end of cooking, as it is an almost ready-made dish.

How to quickly and easily carve a pumpkin:

Recipes: what to cook from frozen pumpkin

To make frozen pumpkin puree:

• Cut the vegetable in half, then into slices, bake them in the oven for about an hour;
• Scoop out the pulp with a spoon and chop;
• We do not add spices or sugar.

After cooling, spread the finished puree into molds.

You can also freeze grated pumpkin. To do this, first chop it coarsely, then grind it on a grater and put it into portioned bags.

Frozen pumpkin puree:

Pumpkin is a beautiful, tasty and healthy vegetable that can be used in children's and dietary foods. That is why it simply needs to be preserved for the winter.

Pumpkin is a very healthy vegetable, so every housewife annually thinks about how to freeze the fruit for the winter. Before you start preparing the preparations, you need to familiarize yourself with the technology for storing fruit in the freezer. If you always follow the instructions, pumpkin will retain its beneficial properties, which have a positive effect on the body of both adults and children.

Some housewives believe that after freezing the vegetable will not retain its taste and will not be suitable for consumption. This opinion is wrong. The main thing is to avoid violating the storage and preparation technology.

If you freeze the vegetable in question, like zucchini or carrots, by cutting it into ordinary pieces, the fruit will become watery and suitable only for preparing an unusual and aromatic cream soup.

Features of freezing pumpkin for the whole winter

In order for the fruit to retain its beneficial qualities and freshness after defrosting, the housewife must take into account several rules before sending it to the freezer.

We are talking about the following:

• if the fruit is to be used as one of the ingredients in a salad or side dish, it is pre-baked. Afterwards, wait until the pumpkin has cooled completely. Now you can cut it, spread it in a thin layer on a flat surface and put it in the freezer;
• if the fruit needs to be frozen into cubes, it is pre-treated in boiling water for 2 minutes. Afterwards the vegetable is sent to the oven and dried. It is important here to ensure that the pieces do not touch each other. When the fruit dries, it can be frozen;
• Before preparing any preparation, the pumpkin should be washed and dried well.

Preparation of the main ingredient

During the preparation process, the vegetable should be washed well. Next, it is cut in half and the seeds are carefully removed. Now the fruit can be cut into slices and peeled. There is no need to throw away the seeds; they can be placed in the oven and dried for further use.

Methods for freezing melons at home

You can freeze fresh, ripe pumpkin in different ways, depending on the purpose for which it will be used. Most often, housewives freeze the fetus as follows:

1. For feeding a baby.
2. In crushed form.
3. With blanching.
4. In the form of puree.
5. Quick freezing.
6. Cubes.
7. For preparing desserts.

Quick freezing

To use this method, rinse the vegetable well and divide it into pieces. It is better to place each of them in a separate container. Afterwards, the container can be sent to the freezer for long-term storage.

If the pumpkin is stored in a bag, you should make sure that there is no air left in it and that it is closed very tightly. Before preparing the dishes, the vegetable is taken out of the freezer, defrosted at room temperature and cooked in the usual way.

Grinded on a coarse grater

Chefs use chopped pumpkin to make fragrant pastries and desserts at home. Vegetables with dense pulp and moderately ripe are suitable for such purposes.

The fruit must be washed well, peeled and the loose part removed. After it has been dried in a paper towel, you can begin to grate it. Now the crushed mass is placed in a ziplock bag, in which there should be no air in the future. In this case, it is recommended not to store the vegetable in small portions.

Freezing and blanching

This method allows you to well preserve the nutritional and taste qualities of the fruit. This method of preparing preparations for the winter does not involve peeling the pumpkin. It is enough to cut it into pieces and blanch in boiling water for no more than 4 minutes. Afterwards, the vegetable is transferred to completely cold water for the same period of time.

Next, the pieces are laid out on a tray so that they do not touch at all, since when frozen they will completely stick together. Some housewives prefer to spread cellophane at the bottom of the freezing compartment and lay out the pumpkin according to the same principle. Once the pieces are frozen, they can be placed in one or more containers and stored for long-term storage.

Freezing into cubes

To freeze diced pumpkin, use only the freshest vegetable. Slices that have already been in the refrigerator for a certain time are not suitable for such purposes.

To begin with, you should wash the purchased vegetable well, cut it into cubes of the required size and blot it with napkins to dry completely. Afterwards, the pieces are laid out on a baking sheet and sent to the chamber for quick freezing. After a few hours, they can be removed and placed in one container for long-term storage.

For feeding baby

To make baby food from this vegetable in the future, it is worth selecting only the freshest and ripe fruits. Before preparing the preparation, the vegetable is washed well and peeled.

Next, you must definitely get rid of the seeds. Afterwards, the fruit is cut into small pieces and placed on paper towels to remove moisture. Now the vegetable is ready to be sent to the freezer for no more than 1 year.

As a puree

For such freezing, a ripe pumpkin is washed, cut and seeds removed. Next, you can start cutting the fruit to bake in the oven, which you first gently preheat to no more than 17 degrees.

The pumpkin is baked for 50 minutes. Afterwards, you can take out the fruit, let it cool and, after removing the peel, mix with a blender until smooth. Now the finished puree is laid out in plastic glasses, wrapped in cling film and sent to the freezer for storage.

Freezing for preparing sweet dishes

For desserts, it is better to freeze the fruit in small pieces in sugar. This vegetable can be used for baking, any sweet dishes or porridge.

To do this, you need to prepare a container with a small layer of granulated sugar at the bottom. The pumpkin needs to be washed well, peeled, dried and quickly frozen. After a few hours, the vegetable can be collected in containers and stored in the freezer.

How to defrost correctly?

Regardless of how the freezing occurred, it is better to defrost the pumpkin gradually, at room temperature. Thus, the housewife will have every chance to prepare a dish rich in healthy ingredients and the taste characteristic of this fruit. If you put a vegetable in the microwave, some of the vitamins will be lost during rapid thawing.

Storage rules

To store preparations for the winter, as an option, you should not consider a cellar or other similar place. Throughout the entire period, the vegetable should be in the freezer.

For convenience, it is better to make portions small, but at the same time they should be enough for one time use. It is better not to refreeze the pumpkin, as in this case it will no longer be suitable for consumption.

Pumpkin is a dietary product that is unpretentious in growing and cooking. It is well kept at home, without losing its beneficial properties and original form. One of the ways to preserve it is drying. The vegetable can also be stored throughout the winter in a cellar or underground at a temperature of +15 degrees. But the most popular preparation option is freezing. It is performed both fresh and after heat treatment.

3 methods for freezing vegetables

Before you start freezing, you should do the right preparation:

1. 1. The initial stage is the collection of melons and the selection of the ripest fruits without any special damage.
2. 2. The vegetable is thoroughly washed and cut into 2 parts. They take out the seeds.
3. 3. Peel the peel. This is done as follows: remove the top and bottom of the pumpkin, and after that you can begin to cleanse the entire fruit.

It is worth considering that in some heat treatment options, the vegetable is first baked and only then the thick skin is removed.

Processing of raw product

The pumpkin is crushed using a grater or cut into small cubes.

The pulp, divided into pieces, is laid out on a flat tray or cutting board so that it does not touch. Then it is placed in the freezer until completely hardened and packaged in bags or containers. If the pumpkin is grated, you just need to put it in trays or ziplock bags and put it in the freezer. It is recommended to freeze the product in small portions for single use. Otherwise, the remains will have to be thrown away, since the vegetable cannot be re-frozen.

Freezing after cooking

Already cooked pumpkin will be easier to defrost. This will also give it a pleasant taste and aroma. There are several heat treatment methods:

• Microwave cooking. Place the vegetable pieces into a glass bowl, add water and cook for 15 minutes. Check the softness: if it is insufficient, continue cooking until fully cooked. The product is checked every 5 minutes. Drain the water, let it dry and put it in the freezer.
• Frying in a glass pan. Pour the pumpkin with a small amount of water and fry for 45 minutes until soft. Peel, cool and freeze.
• Pureeing. The fruit pieces are boiled for 15 minutes. Grind with a blender or meat grinder. Cool and place in the freezer. Portions with this cooking method should be small. You can store the puree in the refrigerator for up to a year.
• Baking in the oven. The pumpkin is baked, cut into large cubes (until soft). The peel is removed from the finished vegetable and pureed in a blender. Place in the freezer.
• Blanching. The chopped fruit is steamed for 10 minutes. Peel, dry and freeze. Then the vegetable will retain its shape, sweetness and tenderness.

For baby food

Pumpkin is good for children: it is easily digestible and saturates the body with a variety of vitamins (B, D, C, phosphorus, iron, carotene and magnesium). It can be prepared with various cereals in the form of milk porridges. Before freezing, it is worth grinding the pulp of the product into a puree. This is done as follows:

What to cook with frozen pumpkin?

Frozen pumpkin is used in a variety of recipes. It can be added to cereals, desserts, main courses and soups. And this is just a small list of where the workpiece can be used. Due to its delicate texture and taste, pumpkin is good in combination with fresh and sweet dishes. It goes well with different types of seasonings and spices.

In general, the same dishes can be prepared from a frozen product as from a fresh one. But it’s worth paying attention to the form in which it was prepared:

• Grated is used in cooking pancakes, casseroles, muffins and pancakes. It will also add a special taste and richness to soups.
• Cut into cubes, it is added to stews of meat and vegetables, salads, first courses, sautés, purees and porridges.
• Puree complements complementary foods for infants, cutlets, pie fillings, cream soups, pancakes and meat dishes. It also perfectly enhances the color of sauces.

Pumpkin came to Russia from America, where it was known since the 16th century, even before potatoes. It has gained an excellent reputation due to its beneficial qualities and special taste. Excellent for dietary and baby food.

Pumpkin in its nutritional and vitamin components can give odds to most expensive vegetables and fruits. At the same time, it can be stored in its raw, unrefined form for quite a long time (up to six months) and fully retain all its beneficial properties. And these are vitamins A and B, C, D and E. Pumpkin is also rich in microelements such as potassium, magnesium and iron. In addition, it is a low-allergenic product, which makes it indispensable when introducing the first complementary foods to babies.

In general, not a product, but a fairy tale! But why know how to freeze pumpkin for the winter, if it turns out that it is already preserved perfectly? Firstly, it should be noted that when frozen it takes up much less space in the freezer (because it is peeled and crushed) than whole somewhere on the balcony. Secondly, no matter how long the pumpkin is kept fresh, until April-May, for example, it still “will not survive,” and the new harvest will not come until August-September. Thirdly, peeling and cutting a pumpkin is a troublesome task, which creates certain obstacles to preparing dishes from it. It’s much easier to take the dough out of the freezer, defrost it in the microwave, and immediately start creating various goodies.

Is it possible to freeze unpeeled pumpkin for the winter? Definitely not. Before freezing, all vegetables and fruits should be thoroughly washed and peeled, cored, and seeds removed, leaving only the precious pulp. When thinking about how to properly freeze pumpkin, you need to decide what you will cook from it. If these are delicious pancakes, then it is better to immediately grate it and freeze it in this form in a plastic bag. Moreover, in each of them you need to put as many pumpkins as required for one-time preparation of a dish. The product cannot be subjected to secondary freezing.

Many young mothers are interested in whether it is possible to freeze pumpkin for the winter in the form of puree? As mentioned above, this vegetable is ideal for use as a first food for babies. Give it to kids just like that, add it to rice, semolina and corn porridge. Before using it in this form, it should be boiled in pieces, steamed or in water, and then chopped, for example, in a blender. Pumpkin puree can be sent to the freezer in disposable plastic cups or in the same portioned plastic bags.

Most often, when answering the question of whether it is possible to freeze pumpkin for the winter, experienced housewives advise putting this vegetable in the freezer, cutting it into small pieces. By storing the product in this form, you leave yourself a huge scope for creativity in the direction of the dishes that can be prepared from it. If you want puree, make it after defrosting; you need to bake the pumpkin with other vegetables - cut it into small pieces, etc. In general, you can create as many different dishes from a product frozen in this form as from a fresh one.

Now that the reader knows whether it is possible to freeze pumpkin for the winter, it is worth mentioning how to properly defrost it. This must be done either in the microwave on a special mode or in the refrigerator. In the latter case, this process will drag on for ten to twelve hours.