What to do if a pumpkin freezes on the balcony: throw it away or cook it

17.01.2023 11:22
Updated: 13.04.2023 12:08

Pumpkin is full of vitamins and nutrients, most of which are not lost after cooking.

In the garden, the crop can withstand frost, but during storage, the fruits may freeze. What to do with a pumpkin if it freezes on the balcony or in the pantry.

Considering that the vegetable has long been successfully frozen for the winter, there is no need to panic. The taste will not suffer much, nor will the vitamin composition. But there is one important detail: you cannot leave the vegetable in this form any longer.

The pumpkin will not store well, especially if there is a high risk of temperature changes.

What to do with pumpkin

Any vegetable that has frozen in the garden or on the balcony needs to be dealt with, and the sooner the better.

Pumpkin
Photo: © Belnovosti

First, you need to defrost it properly. It is best to keep the fruit in the refrigerator from the cold, and then leave it at room temperature.

Once the vegetable has completely thawed, it needs to be processed.

Refreezing and subsequent defrosting will clearly not make the damaged pumpkin tastier or healthier. Therefore, the pumpkin can be baked, mashed, or made into soup.

Mashed potatoes without cooking

To do this, you need to bake the prepared pumpkin (cut into halves or quarters and remove the seeds) in an oven preheated to 160 degrees Celsius for 30-35 minutes.

Once ready, the vegetable should cool down. Then, use a spoon to collect the pulp, transfer it to a suitable container and grind it with a blender.

The puree can be eaten, used in cooking, or frozen.

Author: Igor Zur Internet resource editor

Content
  1. What to do with pumpkin
  2. Mashed potatoes without cooking