[Explanation with photos! ] How to freeze pumpkin, storage period, and 5 recipes

How do you store unused pumpkin?

Pumpkin can be stored for a long time if it is whole and not cut, but if it is cut, it will spoil easily.
Therefore, we recommend freezing unused pumpkin.

You can freeze it raw, heated, or frozen, but there are some points and precautions you should keep in mind to keep it delicious and long-term.
Introducing how to defrost frozen pumpkin and recommended recipes to make the most of it.

How to freeze pumpkin

How to freeze raw

Remove seeds and pulp and cut into convenient sizes. If you want to use it for stews, cut it into cubes of about 3cm, and if you want to use it for stir-fries, slice it thinly.

If seeds and cotton are left on the fruit, it will damage the part where it is attached, so it is important to remove them properly. Generally, you can leave the skin on and freeze it, but if you are concerned about it, please remove it and freeze it.

Wrap the cut pumpkin in plastic wrap in individual portions and freeze. When wrapping in plastic wrap, the key is to wrap it tightly so as to avoid exposure to air as much as possible.

How to heat and freeze

Remove the seeds and pulp, cut into convenient sizes, and heat in the microwave. You can boil it in a pot to soften it, but heating it in the microwave is quickest and easiest.

Once the pumpkin is soft, let it cool, divide into individual servings, and wrap in plastic wrap.

If you want to use it as a potage or salad, it is convenient to crush it and freeze it. Wrap the mashed pumpkin tightly in plastic wrap so that it is thin and flat and freeze.

How to freeze cooked pumpkin

You can also freeze cooked pumpkin, such as boiled or stir-fried dishes. Divide the cooked pumpkin into small pieces and wrap tightly in plastic wrap to remove air. If you want to use it as a side dish for a lunch box, it is convenient to put it in a cup and freeze it so it can be used immediately.

Storage period

Storage period without freezing

Whole pumpkins can be stored for a long time. It can be stored for about 2 months in a cool, well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight.

However, once cut, the quality deteriorates and it cannot be stored for a long time. Cut pumpkin can be stored in the refrigerator for about 4 to 5 days.

Storage period when frozen

Frozen pumpkin can be stored raw or heated for 1 to 2 months. Cooked and frozen pumpkin can also be stored for about a month.

However, if you store it for a long time, it will pick up freezer odors and oxidize, resulting in a loss of flavor. Considering the quality and taste, we recommend eating it within two weeks.

>> 3 points to keep in mind when preserving vegetables

How to unzip

Depending on the purpose, you may be able to use frozen pumpkin without thawing it, or it may be better to use it after thawing it.

When using for stews and soups

If you want to use it in soups, miso soup, or stews, you can use it frozen without thawing it. Both raw pumpkin and heated pumpkin can be put directly into the pot.

When using for stir-fry

If you want to use it in a stir-fry, you can use it without thawing it if it is thinly sliced, as it will cook quickly. If it is cut thickly, it will take time to cook, so it is better to defrost it in the microwave before using it.

As a guideline, 500W per 100g for about 1 minute.
Pumpkin that has been heated and frozen can be used for cooking without thawing.

When using for potage salad

If you have frozen pumpkin that has been heated and mashed, you can defrost it in the microwave and use it as is. Pumpkin that has been frozen raw can be defrosted and heated in the microwave to soften it, then mashed.

A nutritionist explains! About nutrition

The bright yellow color is the color of β-carotene!
Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene, which is essential for strengthening the resistance of mucous membranes and skin and maintaining eyesight.

It also contains a lot of the three major antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E, so it is a food that you should actively eat.

美味しいかぼちゃの選び方
1.ずっしり重く、皮がかたいもの
2.キレイに左右対称に丸くなっているもの
3.軸が太く、ヘタが乾燥していて周りが凹んでいるも(完熟品)
4.皮の緑色が濃いもの
5.カットされているものは果肉の黄色が濃く肉厚で、種がしっかりと熟して膨らんでいるもの
＊種がぺったんこのものは、未熟なうちに収穫された物で甘味やホクホク感が少ない
栄養宝庫のかぼちゃは、毎日でも食卓に登場させたい野菜です。
スープや炒め物、スイーツまで様々なかぼちゃ料理を楽しみながら栄養を摂取しましょう☝

Nutritionist Ruri

Obtained nutritionist qualifications from Toita Women's Junior College and graduated from the same university. After graduating from Kyorin University, she also obtained a qualification as a food hygiene manager. Currently at DayBreak Co., Ltd., she oversees various food freezing research and writing informative content about food. Her hobbies are traveling and hula dancing.

5 delicious recipes using frozen pumpkin

Pumpkin can be used in a variety of dishes, including stews, soups, fried foods, and desserts. Here are some recommended recipes that are easy to make.

Boiled pumpkin

☑【材料】冷凍かぼちゃ、砂糖、醤油

Add mirin, sugar, and frozen pumpkin to a pot and bring to a boil. When it boils and the pumpkin is cooked through, add soy sauce and evaporate the water.
You can make it with either raw frozen pumpkin or heated and frozen pumpkin.

Potage of pumpkin

☑【材料】冷凍かぼちゃ、牛乳、コンソメ

Defrost and heat frozen pumpkin in the microwave to soften it. Transfer the softened pumpkin to a pot and mash it with a rubber spatula. If it is difficult to mash, you can easily make it into a paste using a mixer.

Once the pumpkin is finely crushed, add the milk and consommé and heat. Mix well and add salt and pepper to taste.
If you have mashed and frozen pumpkin, you can make it by simply thawing it, mixing it with milk and heating it.

pumpkin croquette

☑【材料】冷凍かぼちゃ、ひき肉、卵、小麦粉

Defrost and heat frozen pumpkin in the microwave to soften it. If you have frozen mashed pumpkin, you just need to thaw it.

Fry the minced meat in a frying pan and season with salt and pepper. Once the minced meat is cooked, turn off the heat, add the softened pumpkin, and mash it to combine.

Separate the eggs into yolks and whites and add only the yolks to the frying pan. Mix well and shape into bite-sized pieces. Dip in flour, egg white, and breadcrumbs in that order and fry in oil over medium-high heat.
The inside will be cooked through, so once it's golden brown, remove it from the oil and it's done.

pumpkin pudding

☑【材料】冷凍かぼちゃ、牛乳、卵、生クリーム、砂糖、バニラエッセンス

Add water and sugar to a pot and make caramel. Shake the pan to prevent it from burning, and when it turns brown, turn off the heat and pour it into the mold. Defrost and heat frozen pumpkin in the microwave to soften it.
When it becomes soft, mash the pumpkin skin.

Add sugar, eggs, milk, fresh cream, vanilla extract, and pumpkin paste to a bowl and mix well. Once it's mixed well, strain it and pour the caramel into the mold.

Pour hot water onto a baking sheet and bake in an oven preheated to 160℃ for about 70 minutes. If the liquid doesn't stick when you pierce it with a bamboo skewer, remove from heat and cool in the refrigerator.

pumpkin dumplings

☑【材料】かぼちゃ、片栗粉、砂糖、醤油、みりん

Thaw and heat frozen pumpkin in the microwave. Remove the skin from the pumpkin and mash it in a bowl. Add potato starch to a bowl, mix well and shape into a ball.

Heat a large amount of oil in a frying pan and fry the pumpkin dumplings on both sides. Once baked, add the sauce made by mixing sugar, soy sauce, and mirin and mix it with the pumpkin dumplings.

Conclusion

Pumpkin is rich in carotene, vitamins C, and E, and has the effect of boosting immunity, so it's a vegetable that you should actively eat. It is also convenient to store it in the freezer as it can be used in a variety of dishes.

However, many people find it difficult to cut pumpkins because they are hard. For such people, commercially available frozen pumpkin is recommended.

Commercially available frozen pumpkins are not only convenient, but they are rapid freezing, so they maintain better quality. Since it is frozen and preserved with the same deliciousness and nutritional value as fresh pumpkin, you can enjoy the steamy texture and sweetness of pumpkin.

Pumpkins are sold in easy-to-use forms such as cut pumpkins and paste-like pumpkins, so please take advantage of them.