The pumpkin, also known as squash or Japanese pumpkin, is referred to by many different names in various regions. Since “Pumpkin” and “Squash” refer to the same thing, the methods of cooking them are also the same. Popular dishes include Pumpkin Pancakes and Pumpkin Porridge.
Pumpkin Recipe: Honey Date Steamed Pumpkin
Steaming pumpkin makes it very soft while retaining a smooth texture, which is related to the structure of the pumpkin.
Ingredients Needed:
Pumpkin, honey dates, honey.
Steps:
1. Remove the seeds and innards from the pumpkin, then cut into small cubes. Prepare the honey dates.
2. Arrange the pumpkin cubes at the bottom of a steaming bowl, place the honey dates on top, and drizzle with 10 grams of honey.
3. Place the bowl in a steamer, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and steam for 20-25 minutes.
Tips:
The pumpkin itself has a certain sweetness, making the overall taste quite sweet.
Pumpkin Recipe: Pumpkin Pancake
This is a type of fried snack that can typically be found in breakfast shops and cafeterias.
Ingredients Needed:
One pumpkin, an appropriate amount of flour, bread crumbs, sugar, vegetable oil.
Steps:
1. Peel and slice the pumpkin, then steam until cooked.
2. Mash the cooked pumpkin into a puree, add sugar, and mix with an appropriate amount of flour to form a dough.
3. Divide the dough into small portions, coat with bread crumbs, and flatten.
4. Heat a generous amount of oil in a pan, fry the pumpkin pancakes until golden brown on both sides, then remove from the pan.
Tips:
It's best to use low heat when frying the pumpkin pancakes to avoid burning.
Pumpkin Recipe: Pumpkin Bun
When making buns, adding ingredients like pumpkin can give them a vibrant color.
Ingredients Needed:
Half a pound of pumpkin puree, 300 grams of flour, 2 grams of yeast.
Steps:
1. Peel and slice the pumpkin, steam until cooked, then mash into a puree and mix with the yeast.
2. Add the flour and knead into a dough. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size.
3. Punch down the dough to release air, knead, shape into a long strip, divide into bun-sized pieces, shape, and set aside on a cold steamer.
4. Steam over medium heat until steam rises, then continue steaming for 20 minutes. After turning off the heat, wait for 2 more minutes before removing.
Tips:
After setting the shaped buns on the steamer, allow them to rise again for about 20 minutes.
Pumpkin Recipe: Pumpkin Porridge
Ingredients Needed:
Half a pumpkin, 200 grams of milk, 50 grams of light cream, a pinch of salt, a little condensed milk.
Steps:
1. Peel and de-seed the pumpkin, cut into pieces, and microwave on high for 10 minutes.
2. In a blender, combine the cooked pumpkin with light cream, milk, and salt, and blend for one minute.
3. Pour into a bowl and top with light cream and condensed milk.
Nutritional Benefits of Pumpkin:
Pumpkins contain various sugars, minerals, amino acids, and vitamins, which can boost the immune system, protect vision, promote bone development, and maintain healthy skin. Additionally, pumpkins have detoxifying properties, protect the gastric mucosa, aid digestion, help manage diabetes and blood sugar levels, eliminate carcinogens, and prevent cancer.