It turns out that cut pumpkin can be stored for 12 months. We tell you where and how to do it at home

Pumpkin is a fairly large vegetable that cannot be eaten entirely at once. To store cut pumpkin, you need to know how to do it. There are many options for keeping vegetables fresh.

Is it possible to store peeled pumpkin?

Many people mistakenly assume that pumpkins can be stored at room temperature. However, after 40 hours, decomposition will begin. A cool place is a completely different matter.

Cut up pumpkin will keep much longer in the refrigerator. The culture can also be pickled or frozen. Or make delicious puree.

How long does pumpkin last in the refrigerator?

The vegetable can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 1.5 weeks. All this time it will be suitable for consumption. If the refrigerator has a high power level (temperature conditions are lower than standard), then the shelf life can be increased to 21 days.

How to store cut pumpkin

If in order to preserve part of the fruit, then the following rules should be taken into account:

1. Buy fruit without damage. Traces of rot are unacceptable. If even a small part has already deteriorated, it will not be possible to save it.However, you can go the other way - make compote, prepare juice.
2. Use a cool place for storage.
3. Peeled fruits should be stored in closed packages.

If the peel is damaged, it is removed. You can do without this. Then you will have to cut the fruit and wrap each piece in such a way that the peel does not touch the pulp.

Advice! For wrapping, cellophane bags, paper, and foil are used.

In a refrigerator

You can store peeled pumpkin in the refrigerator. Without the casing, the product can be stored for up to 3 days. There is a possibility that the cuts will become weathered. To prevent this, the pieces are coated with oil. Then wrap it with cling film.

When wrapped, the shelf life can reach 3 weeks. The main thing is that the temperature does not exceed +3 degrees. Before using this product, carefully cut off the top layer.

In the freezer

If necessary, you can store the pumpkin for a long time. For example, from 180 days. The freezer comes to the rescue. The vegetable must be cut into pieces and wrapped in plastic.

The optimal temperature is up to -16 degrees. At this temperature, the fruit can remain juicy for up to a year. The most important thing is that the humidity level should not exceed 75%. Under such conditions, the workpieces will not begin to dry out.

If the pumpkin is large and does not fit in the refrigerator

It is quite problematic to place an impressively sized fruit in the refrigerator. In this case, it needs to be cut into pieces:

1. First of all, remove the stalk.
2. It is recommended to use a sharp knife for cutting.
3. All pieces are packaged and stored in the refrigerator.

There is another way to remove the peel.The fruit is pierced in several places and placed in the microwave for 2 minutes.

How long does pumpkin last?

The cut fruit can be stored from a couple of days to a year. The time directly depends on the conditions created:

1. Product placed in the refrigerator and not packaged – up to 3 days.
2. Packaged product placed in the refrigerator - up to 3 weeks.
3. Vegetables can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months. This period depends on the cold and power level. If space does not allow, you can cut the vegetable into small pieces, remove the peel and skin, grate it on a coarse grater, and package it. When heat treated, the taste becomes weaker, but for stewing it’s just right.
4. At room temperature, no more than +20 degrees – maximum 3 days.

As practice shows, if you do not remove the skin from the pumpkin and grease the pieces with vegetable oil, the shelf life in the freezer will be much longer. In this case, the fruits will not dry out over time.

Pumpkin preparations for long-term storage

Before choosing a storage method, it is important to choose a quality fruit. There should be no damage to it. A healthy vegetable is the key to long-term storage.

Blanched

Blanching is a short-term heat treatment. Thanks to this solution, the taste will remain unchanged. When defrosted, the product will be the same as fresh. Algorithm of actions:

1. Remove the peel. Cut into pieces of the required size.
2. Place the pumpkin in a colander. Dip it into a container of boiling water. Compose for 3-5 minutes.
3. Get it. Drain the water. Cool.
4. Place on paper napkins. Let the pieces dry.
5. Place portions into bags. Place in the freezer.

Sometimes it can be difficult to remove the peel. Because in some varieties it is too dense.For convenience, the slices are made no more than 3 cm thick.

Puréeing

This option is considered to be dietary. Since very little granulated sugar is used for making. You will need to take 1 kg of pumpkin, peeled and seeded. Grind it using a blender. Or pass through a meat grinder.

The mass should be of uniform consistency. Place pumpkin puree and 300 g of granulated sugar into a saucepan. Place on low heat. Cook for 2 hours. It is recommended to stir the puree constantly as it may burn. Finally, add a small amount of lemon juice. This will enhance the taste.

Grinding

Another storage option is chopping the pumpkin. The consistency should be a paste. The peeled fruit is initially baked or boiled. If you choose the first method, but you will need:

1. Cut into small pieces. The peel is not removed.
2. Place on a baking sheet so that the flesh is at the top.
3. Place in the oven.
4. Leave for 60 minutes at +200 degrees.
5. Grind with a blender.

The finished mass is packaged in bags or containers and sent to the freezer. The product can retain its qualities for up to 12 months.

Dried

Initially, the fruit must be prepared:

1. Wash the pumpkin thoroughly under running water. To cut in half.
2. The core and seeds can be easily removed with a tablespoon.
3. Remove the peel.
4. Cut into pieces. It is better to make slices 1 cm thick.
5. Pour boiling water over for 1-2 minutes. Drain the water.
6. Place on a baking sheet. Cover with foil or parchment paper.

Drying process at home:

1. Leave the pumpkin in the oven at +60 degrees for 4.5 hours.
2. After the specified period of time, remove, turn over, and cool.
3. Place for 2 hours at +80 degrees.
4. Transfer to an airtight, clean container.
5. Send to any dark place and be sure to be dry.

In this state, pumpkin can be stored for up to 1 year.

Attention! Drying can be done in an electric dryer. Set the temperature to +60 degrees and leave for an average of 16 hours.

Salty

Salted pumpkin is considered dietary. 100 g of finished product contains only 45 kcal.

Ingredients you will need:

• pumpkin – 1 kg;
• garlic – 50 g;
• vegetable oil – 50 ml;
• bell pepper – 1 large;
• table vinegar – 80 g;
• salt – 25 g;
• granulated sugar – 100 g.

Cooking process:

1. The peeled pumpkin is cut into small pieces.
2. The seeds are removed from the pepper. Cut into thin strips.
3. The garlic is chopped.
4. You need to pour 2 liters of water into the pan, add granulated sugar, salt, vinegar, oil. Boil everything.
5. Add pumpkin. After boiling, cook over medium heat for 30 minutes.
6. Place in sterilized jars and roll up.

This amount is enough for a liter jar.

Healthy pumpkin can be stored throughout the winter, even if you cut it. The main thing is to choose the right method, and then the sunny vegetable will delight you with its freshness.