Introduction: Also known as pumpkin, squash, or golden melon, pumpkin is an annual herbaceous plant of the gourd family, originating in the Americas. Hailed as a "special health-care vegetable" and the "best beauty food," it was a must-have vegetable in the diet of Empress Dowager Cixi.
【How to Choose】
When buying a pumpkin, just check the entire pumpkin for signs of pests and damage. The heavier the pumpkin feels in your hand, the better its quality.
【Nutritional Value】
Pumpkin is rich in vitamins A, B-complex vitamins, and vitamin C. The vitamin A content in pumpkin is among the highest among gourds and vegetables.
Pumpkin is also rich in minerals, as well as the 8 essential amino acids for the human body and histidine, which is essential for children. It also contains soluble fiber, lutein, and trace elements such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and silicon.
Pumpkin also contains a component called "cobalt," which has a blood-nourishing effect after consumption.
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【Medicinal Properties】
(1). Pumpkin can regulate sugar metabolism, enhance the body's immunity, and prevent arteriosclerosis, and has anti-cancer effects.
(2). The pectin in pumpkin has good adsorbability, which can bind and eliminate bacterial toxins and other harmful substances in the body. The components in pumpkin can also promote bile secretion, speed up gastrointestinal motility, and help digest food.
(3). Pumpkin can protect the gastrointestinal mucosa from irritation by coarse food and promote the healing of ulcers.
(4). Regular consumption of pumpkin can make the skin plump and beautiful, especially for women, it has a beauty effect.
【How to Eat】
When boiling pumpkin, it should not be too soft or too hard, otherwise the flavor of the pumpkin will be greatly reduced. The best way is to use a large pot. Just cut the pumpkin into small pieces, then add enough water to the pot to cover the pumpkin.
If using a microwave, be sure to place the pumpkin pieces side by side, add two tablespoons of water on top, cover with plastic wrap, and heat for 6 minutes, then remove.
In Sichuan, people often make pumpkin into desserts. They cook pumpkin with mung beans for several hours, then add sugar and freeze it in the refrigerator.
【Contraindications】
Pumpkin should be stored properly and not for too long, otherwise, the pulp will undergo anaerobic fermentation to produce alcohol, which can easily cause poisoning after consumption. Be sure to check carefully before eating pumpkin. If you find rotten spots on the skin or an alcoholic smell after cutting it open, do not eat it.
After reading the common sense about eating pumpkin, Xiaomei recommends several delicious pumpkin recipes for you below. Let's take a look!
Pumpkin Egg Custard Pumpkin Cold Cake Sago Pumpkin Dumplings Steamed Pumpkin with Chicken