Pumpkin cakes, pumpkin porridge... various foods made with pumpkin are very popular. However, do you know how to choose a pumpkin? For this, our reporter specially invited Professor Lin Xinying, a council member of the Chinese Nutrition Society and a professor at the Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene at Shandong University, to share the secrets of picking a good pumpkin.
Look at the color
Due to different varieties, the methods for choosing pumpkins also differ. In terms of peel color, for golden-yellow pumpkins, the deeper the yellow color, the clearer and thicker the stripes, the more mature it is. For green pumpkins, those that are dark green are mature. Regardless of the variety, deep ridges and plump lobes indicate a "good pumpkin." Additionally, a pumpkin with a complete shape, shiny skin, and a firm and hard texture is fresher.
Observe the flesh
When a pumpkin is cut open, if the flesh feels very hard, the pumpkin will have a soft and powdery texture with high sweetness when cooked. The color of the pumpkin flesh is mostly golden yellow; a deeper color indicates a higher degree of maturity. Conversely, if the color is pale, it means it is not yet fully ripe. Furthermore, when the pumpkin is cut open, you can also check the seeds, as plump seeds are another sign of high maturity.
Smell it
A ripe pumpkin has a fresh, pleasant aroma, while an unripe, tender pumpkin has a smell similar to a regular vegetable gourd.
Pinch the stem
The top of a pumpkin usually has a small piece of stem attached, which also makes it easier to store. Pinch it with your hand; if it feels very hard, like wood, it means the pumpkin was picked at an appropriate time and is highly mature. Additionally, the skin of a ripe pumpkin is quite hard. If the skin can be easily punctured with a pinch, it is a sign that it is not yet ripe.