The best recipes for pickled pumpkin for the winter at home

When preserving food, classic ingredients like tomatoes, cucumbers, or zucchini are often used. You can diversify your diet by preparing pumpkins for the winter. Surprisingly, very little is known about this melon and its preservation methods. Yet, many pumpkin varieties can be stored for up to 20 months without losing their marketable quality. There are also many unusual and delicious recipes for preserving this product.

Composition and beneficial properties of pumpkin

Pumpkin is a nutritious and delicious food. This fruit consists almost entirely of pulp, and it contains many valuable minerals and essential vitamins.

In addition to folate, pumpkin contains vitamins C, PP, K, A, E, and all B vitamins. It also contains zinc, manganese, iodine, and iron. Including pumpkin in your diet can help with digestive issues and improve fluid balance. Pumpkin juice will remove excess fluid and reduce swelling. This low-calorie food also contains significantly more protein than chicken and quail eggs.

We choose the best variety and prepare the pumpkin

In this case, choosing the right variety is extremely easy, as absolutely all of them are suitable for canning. Choosing a ripe and tasty pumpkin is another matter entirely.

It would also be useful to know about some nuances:

1. Jam, marmalade, and puree are made using summer pumpkin varieties. These pumpkins should have tender and extremely juicy flesh. They contain a lot of sugar, so the preserves will be delicious, smooth, and flavorful.
2. For drying, the best choice is hybrid varieties with firm, dry flesh that contains virtually no juice. These pumpkins make quite good candied fruit.
3. Pumpkins similar to hybrid varieties are also suitable for preserving compotes and jams. The contents will remain intact and will not disintegrate during cooking.

The most important condition is a healthy, whole product with no signs of spoilage. Only such a preparation will be successful.

After careful selection, the fruits must be properly prepared for canning. First, the pumpkin must be washed and then dried thoroughly. Next, all the seeds and their chambers are removed. Using a thin knife, the peel is also removed, and any dark areas are trimmed away.

Recipes for delicious winter preparations

Winter preserves are a wonderful opportunity for experimentation and unusual dishes. By choosing golden pumpkins, you can diversify your diet with interesting recipes and saturate your body with vitamins so essential in winter. The key is to know the methods and what can be prepared quickly.

Preserving garden produce, combined with other healthy ingredients, is the best way to preserve it. Homemade preserves can be used to create an appetizer or a full-fledged side dish. Vegetable preserves are paired with grains, meat, and fish.

Dried

Drying this incredibly healthy melon is the best way to preserve all its nutritional and valuable properties. A recipe for making original pumpkin chips is gaining popularity. A product with firm, not particularly sweet flesh is ideal for preserving.

What you need to do: cut the prepared pumpkin into thin slices. Then, dip the pumpkin slices in boiling water for a few minutes. You can add salt or sugar to the liquid. Cool and dry the slices. Then, place them on a baking sheet, season with spices, and leave them in a sunny spot outside. Cover the pumpkin beforehand. This preparation stays delicious and fresh all year round.

However, a similar preparation can be made using an electric dehydrator, if you have one on hand. First, thinly slice the melon and soak it in salted water. Afterward, dry each slice thoroughly on a towel. Then, place the sliced ​​vegetables in the dehydrator and set the dehydration mode to 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit). This process will take about 6 hours.

After the time has elapsed, the temperature of the device must be increased to 75 degrees and the pumpkin slices must be dried for another 2 hours.

Dried pumpkin

Preparing the garden fruit this way results in pieces that resemble candied fruit. This treat is perfect for tea time. It's also worth noting that candied fruit is low in calories, making it ideal for dieters.

How to make dried pumpkin: choose a dessert pumpkin variety and cut it into small wedges or cubes. Place in a container and pour a sweet syrup made from refined sugar, water, and citric acid over the slices. Dry for about an hour in an oven preheated to 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit). Dust with granulated sugar. Store in a glass container for up to six months. You can also make candied pumpkin from this fruit using an electric dehydrator.

Preparation of caviar

Dishes paired with pumpkin caviar are an extremely nutritious source of nutrients. The resulting preparation is slightly sweet and very aromatic. You can enhance the aftertaste by adding spices, which pair perfectly with this vegetable.

What you need to take:

• 3 kilograms of pumpkin;
• 2 large carrots;
• 500 grams of onions;
• half a glass of oil;
• a glass of tomato paste;
• 50 milliliters of vinegar;
• a large spoon of salt.

How to make pumpkin caviar: Boil the chopped pumpkin until soft. Fry the remaining vegetables in a frying pan until golden brown. Then, puree the cooked pumpkin and the fried vegetables in a blender (you can also use a meat grinder). Add the spices and tomato sauce. Simmer the mixture for half an hour, stirring constantly with a wooden utensil. Add the vinegar and fill sterilized containers.

Classic pickling recipe

This fruit contains virtually no acid. This important detail should be taken into account, and table vinegar or other natural preservatives should be prepared in advance. Ingredients:

• 2 kilograms of dense pumpkin pulp;
• 5 large peppers;
• 1 glass of refined sugar;
• 40 grams of salt;
• laurel, cloves;
• garlic clove.

How to marinate: First, prepare the marinade: pour the filtered liquid into a deep bowl, add salt, refined sugar, and other spices. Simmer for 7 minutes. Next, prepare the vegetables: peel and chop. Add them to the boiling marinade and simmer for half an hour. Once done, add vinegar and immediately fill the containers. This delicacy will keep for up to a year.

Marinated with spices without sterilization

The quick-preparation instructions suggest sterilizing the jars yourself. This method significantly reduces the canning time. You can add any vegetables and herbs from your own garden to the preserves, which will only enhance the flavor of the main ingredient.

What you need to do: Make the marinade using your chosen recipe; add the seasoning and salt to the filtered liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil. Then, boil all the ingredients together with the brine, and immediately add the mixture to the jars once it boils. After sealing the lids, turn the jars upside down and cover with a warm blanket. This will allow the product to pasteurize. Store only after it has cooled completely.

Salad with bell pepper and pumpkin

This sweet yet spicy delicacy will add a new dimension to your everyday diet. It's often served as a side dish to meat dishes. It's not recommended to over-season the preserves, as they can overpower the natural aroma and flavor of fresh vegetables.

Ingredients for the salad:

• one large pumpkin;
• 3 large carrots;
• 4 onions;
• 500 grams of tomatoes;
• 100 milliliters of vinegar;
• half a glass of refined sugar;
• 50 grams of salt.

Directions: Fry the carrots and onions in a deep frying pan until golden brown. Then, cover the melon and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the ripe tomatoes and simmer for another 15 minutes. Then, add all the listed seasonings and let simmer for 7 minutes.

Immediately transfer the prepared salad to sterile containers and store. For a longer shelf life, it is recommended to pasteurize the filled containers beforehand.

Eggplant appetizer

Appetizers made with eggplant always look incredibly appetizing, and the taste exceeds expectations. The main ingredient has a sweet, cloying aftertaste, while the eggplant adds a piquant bitterness.

What you need to prepare:

• 2 kilograms of eggplant;
• 2 kilograms of pumpkin pulp;
• 6 large tomatoes;
• 8 garlic cloves;
• 4 bell peppers;
• 3 large spoons of salt;
• half a glass of vinegar.

How to prepare the preserves: First, make the dressing. Puree the tomatoes in a blender and add the crushed garlic. Then, add the mixture to a saucepan, add the refined sugar, oil, and salt. Reduce heat to low. Meanwhile, prepare the main ingredients: the peppers and eggplant: wash and chop. Add the remaining vegetables to the tomato mixture and let it sit for 50 minutes. Pour in the vinegar and heat for a couple of minutes. Pack the mixture into the containers.

Lemon jam for children

Preserving garden vegetables with citrus fruits is the perfect way to create a truly nutritious product. Children will especially love this preparation. What's more, this dish is packed with vitamins, making it extremely beneficial during the winter.

What you need for the recipe:

• one large golden fruit;
• 800 grams of refined sugar;
• one lemon;
• dessert spoon of cinnamon.

Directions: Remove the lemon zest, remove the seeds, and slice thinly. Prepare the vegetables in the same manner. Place the main ingredients in a deep bowl and sprinkle with the specified amount of refined sugar. Let it simmer for 10 hours, until the ingredients release their juices. Bring the sweet mixture to a boil for 5 minutes. Let it simmer for another 6 hours, then simmer again. After 30 minutes, store the mixture in jars.

Canned pumpkin with orange

An unusual, yet extremely interesting combination of ingredients helps create a true culinary delicacy. It's a good idea to add various spices, which will only enhance the aroma and aftertaste of the preserves. The amount of sugar depends entirely on personal preference. How to prepare the dish: prepare and clean the main ingredients.

Cut the citrus and melon into equal cubes or slices. Fill sterile containers in layers, alternating each component. Sprinkle each layer with refined sugar. Then fill the containers with boiling water and wait until sterilization is complete. Then seal and store.

Apple and pumpkin puree

This method works best with tart apples. All ingredients should be in equal quantities. Acidic apple juice acts as a natural preservative. For a thicker consistency, you can add a packet of pectin. Refined sugar can be replaced with fructose, if desired.

How to make a unique puree: peel the main ingredients, removing the skin and seeds. Then cut all the ingredients into cubes or small slices. Place in a blender and blend until smooth. You can also use a meat grinder to make a puree in a similar manner. Add refined sugar to the mixture and heat for 20 minutes. Remember to stir the mixture with a wooden utensil. Can and store the mixture. It can be stored year-round.

Pumpkin – "Estonian pineapple"

The original and unique name of this recipe conceals a simple method for pickling this delicious melon. The result is delicious and aromatic cubes that are remarkably similar to canned pineapple.

What you need for cooking:

• 2 large pumpkins with soft contents;
• 2 cups of refined sugar;
• a liter of filtered water;
• a third of a glass of vinegar;
• 2 large spoons of salt;
• spices.

Preparation instructions: First, prepare a preservative brine. In a deep bowl, mix the specified amount of liquid with refined sugar and salt, then bring this mixture to a boil. Add the prepared pumpkin pieces to the brine and simmer for 15 minutes. Leave in a cool place to fully absorb the marinade juices. Bring the pumpkin pieces back to a boil, then add the spices and herbs. Once done, pour in the specified amount of vinegar and mix thoroughly. Everything is ready to be transferred to sterile containers.

In Korean

Preparing this delicacy doesn't require much time or effort. The recipe is incredibly simple, making the cooking process a pure pleasure. This treat will become a family favorite and will delight lovers of spicy appetizers.

Looks like Korean carrots.

Ingredients for preparation:

• one medium garden fruit;
• 2 large spoons of table vinegar;
• 2 large spoons of oil;
• 1 dessert spoon of salt;
• 2 large spoons of refined sugar;
• a packet of ready-made Korean salad dressing;
• ground coriander.

What you'll need: Grate the melon and transfer it to a glass container. Add all the necessary seasonings and spices to the grated vegetable. Pour in refined oil and vinegar. Mix everything thoroughly. Cover the container and let it sit for a couple of hours. Fill sterile containers with the Korean melon and pour in the extracted juice. This preserve can be stored at room temperature, but the containers should be pasteurized first.

How to save blanks

The method and location for storing the prepared pumpkin directly depend on the canning method. Pickled pumpkin that has been canned without prior heat treatment must be stored in a cool place: a basement, refrigerator, or cellar.

Sterilized containers can be stored for a long time at room temperature in a regular kitchen cabinet. Dried or cured food should be stored in a ventilated area.