How to properly dry a pumpkin at home: proven methods

8

Prepared by: Ju Lia

05/04/2017 Cooking time: 3 days. 23 hours 0 minutes

Want to try a new and healthy dessert? In this recipe, you will learn how to cook dried pumpkin in the oven with sugar and cinnamon. This is a fragrant delicacy that both children and adults adore.

The benefits and harms of dried pumpkin

The benefits of dried pumpkin have been known for several centuries. Pumpkin was used by healers and healers in the manufacture of medicines, ointments and tinctures. It is rich in beta-carotene, pectin and easily digestible sugars. The chemical composition is also striking - calcium, phosphorus, fluorine, zinc, copper, iron, magnesium, sodium and potassium. In addition, pumpkin fruits are rich in vitamins A, C, E, Pp, as well as rare vitamins K and T, and it is these substances that are responsible for rejuvenating the body.
With such an excellent composition, dried pumpkin is able to have a magical effect on the human body. Regular consumption of food helps to fight depression, insomnia. Also, dried pumpkin has a positive effect on the body's immune system and helps with spring vitamin deficiency. Other positive properties of this product include:

1. Eye protection from acute inflammatory diseases, vision support.
2. Strengthening the walls of blood vessels and normalizing blood pressure.
3. Removal of toxins and toxins from the digestive system.
4. Cleansing the kidneys through diuretic properties. Dissolution of kidney and bladder stones.
5. Relief of pain in cardiovascular diseases. Stabilization of the heart rate.
6. Tissue regeneration and natural rejuvenation of the body.

For all its usefulness, there are several restrictions on the use of this product. Doctors advise people suffering from acid-base imbalance or diabetes mellitus to avoid it. Also, do not forget that with increased acidity of gastric juice, dried pumpkin can cause gastritis and other damage to the stomach.

Calorie content of dried pumpkin

When dried, pumpkin loses most of the water, so the sugar content in its composition increases. The energy table of dried pumpkin per 100 g of product is as follows:

• proteins - 1.8 g;
• fats - 0 g;
• carbohydrates - 8.4 g.

The final calorie content of the product is 41 kcal. Such low values ​​make pumpkin an excellent aid for weight loss. Its inclusion in the diet allows you to achieve impressive results in a short time.

Practical use

For the heart and blood vessels

Vegetable increases blood clotting

Pumpkin is useful for diseases of the cardiovascular system, it prevents anemia and activates the formation of platelets, increasing blood clotting.

Acts as a vasodilator, lowering blood pressure, thinning rather than thickening the blood.

To strengthen blood vessels, it is recommended to eat a vegetable raw in the morning, on an empty stomach, in an amount of 250 g.

For the prevention of atherosclerosis, pumpkin inflorescences are suitable, which are poured with an alcohol solution and kept for 7 days. Take this tincture 20 drops 2 times a day.

The duration of the course without harm to the body is 10 days.

For the intestines

For chronic colitis and short-term constipation of the intestines, pumpkin dishes are included in the diet as a laxative.

Usually they make fresh salads from raw pumpkin (100 g), carrots (1 pc.) And apples (1 pc.), Season them with vegetable or olive oil and eat them in the morning or in the evening.

A vegetable boiled or stewed in oil, which is mixed with honey, has a similar laxative effect.

For the liver and kidneys

Pumpkin seed oil helps support liver function and kidney function - it has a cleansing effect, helping to remove harmful toxins. Take it for 1 tsp. in the morning on an empty stomach.

The duration of the course is no longer than 30 days. If necessary, repeat the course in a month.

For the treatment of liver disease, fresh pumpkin is infused with honey. To do this, the vegetable is cleaned inside, leaving the peel outside, and the space is filled with honey. Leave for 1.5 weeks in a dark, cool place.

The present pumpkin honey is consumed in 1 tsp. 3 times a day before each meal. The duration of the course without harm to the body is up to 3 weeks. Contraindications - intolerance to honey products.

With diabetes mellitus

Patients with diabetes and people prone to the accumulation of high blood glucose levels are not recommended to eat pumpkin dishes made from boiled or baked vegetables.

Only a fresh product can reduce sugar levels without harm to health, the glycemic index of which until the moment of heat treatment is only 25 units.

For diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and digestive system

Pumpkin dishes should be consumed in limited quantities for those who have inflammatory processes in the pancreas.

The vegetable is indicated only after the removal of attacks of pancreatitis and is used in a boiled form. The daily rate is up to 300 g. Juice is contraindicated.

With the existing gastritis and stomach ulcers, the vegetable is permissible for use raw or boiled, subject to restrictions. Among the contraindications is a reduced production of gastric juice.

For women's health

Raw pumpkin helps relieve toxicosis

Raw pumpkin has a calming effect on bouts of toxicosis in pregnant women, therefore, in small quantities, it is indicated for complicated pregnancies. Pumpkin seed oil is useful for external use for mastopathy.

For men's health

Pumpkin juice and seeds are a source of sexual activity for men, maintaining their potency and reproductive function at the proper level.

Rectal suppositories with pumpkin act as a remedy for impaired functioning of the prostate gland, they are used for prostate adenoma.

For children's health

High in fiber, pumpkin is an essential ingredient in baby food. It regulates the child's digestive work, helping to quickly absorb the beneficial elements obtained from food.

A large proportion of vitamin C enhances immunity, ensuring the normal development of the child's body and its growth.

Pumpkin seeds have medicinal properties to get rid of worms.

In cosmetology

The boiled vegetable is applicable for cosmetic purposes. It is kneaded into gruel and applied to the face as a rejuvenating mask. Vitamins A and E present in the vegetable actively prevent the appearance of wrinkles and delay the aging process of the facial skin.

The same vitamins act as sources of nail health and have a beneficial effect on their quality, if you regularly cover the nail plates with pumpkin oil.

How to dry a pumpkin

The basis for an excellent dried product is the correct selection of the variety. Do not use forage species. The best choice would be late-ripening and firm varieties - "Stolovaya Sweet", "Buttercup", "Winter Sweet" and "Blue Hubbard".The use of early maturing "Acorna" is possible, but due to the greater wateriness, the drying process will take a long time.

Pumpkin fruits should be intact, without visible damage. They should be free of plaque and suspicious stains. A prerequisite is the integrity of the tail - this is a kind of guarantor of the preservation of the juiciness of the fruit and the absence of internal damage.

Attention! For a brighter color of the finished product, you can use the blanching procedure. To do this, cut the prepared pieces must be dipped in boiling water for a couple of minutes.

Preparation of pumpkin for drying takes place in several stages. Initially, the fruits are washed in running water and wiped dry. Then they are cut in half and the fibrous core with seeds is removed. After that, the peel is removed from it and cut into small slices of about 3-4 cm.

The use of pumpkin in cosmetology

Pumpkin is often included in home beauty products. It improves skin color, tightens it and makes it more elastic. And most importantly, it does almost miracles in the matter of rejuvenation.

To refresh the face, the pulp of the fruit is crushed in a blender, mixed with olive oil and applied to the face and neck area for 15 minutes. Then the mask is removed with cotton pads and washed with running water.

Use pumpkin as a scrub. To do this, boil a small amount of pulp, grind, add ground coffee and a little sugar. After that, lightly rub into the face for 7 minutes and wash.

To achieve the optimal effect, it is better to apply masks 2 times during the week.

How to store dried pumpkin

Compliance with the correct storage conditions allows you to extend the shelf life of the finished product by an order of magnitude. The best option for a pumpkin is a room with a relative humidity of no more than 60% and an air temperature of 10-15 degrees. A prerequisite is the absence of direct sunlight. The finished product is stored in tissue bags or tightly sealed glass jars.

Protected from harmful insects, pumpkin can be stored for up to one and a half to two years. Violation of storage conditions leads to the early appearance of mold and deterioration of the product. There is a secret that can extend the shelf life by a couple of months. At the bottom of the jar where dried vegetables are stored, you need to put a couple of leaves of parchment paper to absorb excess moisture.

Dried pumpkin is a storehouse of useful vitamins and minerals. Its miraculous effect on the body makes it a constant helper in maintaining immunity. An easy way to prepare this dish will provide the family with a supply of nutrients for the whole year until the next harvest.

Useful properties of pumpkin for men

Separately, it is worth mentioning the benefits of pumpkin for men's health. The diet developed by doctors for prostate adenoma includes the use of pumpkin seeds: only 50 grains a day will relieve this unpleasant problem. Pumpkin seeds are also useful for urination difficulties. In addition, pumpkin has a very beneficial effect on sexual function and can help conceive a long-awaited baby.

Of course, pumpkin is not a panacea, but traditional medicine considers it to be a reliable and well-proven preventive and therapeutic agent. Therefore, you can help yourself by adding this vegetable to your diet before any male health problems are identified. This “prevention” will help you diversify your diet and improve your overall health.

Pumpkin seed paste is an excellent prevention of prostate diseases. It is not difficult to prepare such a dish: pass the grains through a meat grinder, mix with honey (for 500 grams of seeds - 300 ml of honey), roll them into small balls and dissolve half an hour before breakfast. You can simply spread the resulting pasta on a sandwich: both tasty and healthy!

It is undesirable to bake pumpkin seeds in the oven and fry: during heat treatment, they lose most of their useful qualities. In addition, it takes much more time than simply "drying" the seeds at room temperature. Dried seeds are stored quietly for about two years without losing their properties. There is a separate article on the useful properties of pumpkin seeds on our website.

The use of pumpkin seeds is of great benefit to athletes, since the body needs a lot of zinc for successful training. Pumpkin seeds are best suited for replenishing zinc in the body.

Selecting and preparing pumpkin

First, decide on the purpose for which you need to dry the pumpkin. More meaty varieties are used for food. And for decorative vases and crafts for Halloween, you will need a variety of cucurbita or lagenaria.

For drying, choose fruit with a shiny shell without signs of rotting or mechanical damage. If any place is in doubt - press on it with your finger. The fruit must be firm, softened tissues are not allowed. A strong and healthy stem is also a sign of good fetal health.

The fruit must be washed thoroughly before drying. To do this, take a little dish detergent, dilute with warm water and add a little chlorine-containing detergent. You need to wash carefully so as not to damage the peel. Then rinse the fruit with running water and dry thoroughly. This will remove bacteria from the surface that can cause premature decay. At this point, your fruit is ready for further drying.

Important! Most pumpkin parts are edible, including the flesh, seeds, leaves, and even flowers. In addition, this plant is used in traditional medicine recipes.

How to choose and store a pumpkin

The fruits should be round in shape. It is not recommended to buy pumpkins that are too large, as in most cases they turn out to be dry. The optimum weight is up to 5 kg. The pulp should be orange. The rind is firm, but not woody.

Store the pumpkin in a cool place with moderate humidity, limited from exposure to sunlight. The cut fruit is best placed in the refrigerator. For long-term storage, you should purchase vegetables with a stalk.

Can I freeze

To increase the shelf life, the product can be frozen.

How to properly dry a pumpkin at home

For further use in cooking dry raw materials, pumpkin fruits are cut into pieces.

For this you will need:

1. Peel the skin with a sharp knife. You need to cut a little thicker than the skin of a potato.
2. Remove the stalk.
3. Take out the seeds with a spoon.
4. Carefully remove the remnants of the pulp that was with the seeds.
5. Cut into slices. They can be of any size. But don't make them too small, as they will shrink as they dry.

Now all that remains is to dry the prepared slices.

In a natural way

Distribute the slices evenly on the tray. They can be dried indoors or outdoors under the sun for 5 days until completely dry. Dry slices can be stored in bulk containers and consumed as needed. The finished slices should be wrinkled and brittle.

In some countries, dry slices are ground in a blender to a powder. In the future, this powder is used to make pies, pumpkin puree, soups or pumpkin bread.

Did you know? The minimum time taken to carve a Jack Lantern pumpkin is 16.47 seconds. The record was set on October 31, 2013 by Stephen Clark (New York, USA). According to the rules, the flashlight must have eyes, nose, mouth and ears.

In the oven

Place the slices on a baking sheet so that air circulates freely between them. The oven is heated to +60 ° C. Set a leaf with pumpkin pieces and dry with the door ajar for 6 hours.Use the blowing mode to evenly cover the slices with air. Cool the slices. Flip them over to the other side. Raise the temperature to + 70 ° C. Place the baking sheet and dry until completely dry.

It will be interesting for you to read how the pumpkin is useful for men and women.

In an electric dryer

Drying in an electric dryer takes place without human intervention. Place the slices on the wire rack. You can dry according to the instructions for the device. Drying at + 55… + 60 ° C is usually recommended. Drying time - 6-12 hours, depending on the thickness of the slices. You may want to flip the pumpkin slices while drying, but this is usually not required.

Video: Drying pumpkin in an electric dryer

The benefits of pumpkin

The vegetable has healing properties

Vegetable culture, depending on the type of preparation and consumption, can bring different healing properties for human health.

At the same time, they use pulp, pumpkin leaves, and seeds.

Usually, the peel is not used for food purposes.

Pumpkin leaves

The benefits of pumpkin foliage have long been proven. It is used in traditional medicine in the following cases:

• Against cancer. Phenolic compounds and chlorophyll, tannins and flavonoids, glycosides and saponins are indispensable components in the fight against cancer. They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and delay the formation and development of cancerous tumors.
• For cosmetic purposes. The foliage rich in ascorbic acid has a rejuvenating effect on the skin, ensuring a healthy appearance. Infusions and decoctions from the leaves have wound healing properties, activate the regeneration of tissue cells. The beta-carotene content supports healthy teeth and gums when used with an infused rinse.
• For diabetes control. Decoctions and infusions, due to their hypoglycemic effect, help diabetics maintain and control blood glucose levels. Water extracts with pumpkin ethyl acetate and polysaccharides act as an effective folk antidiabetic agent.
• For the immune system. The increased content of vitamin C acts as a source of production and maintenance of a high level of immunity, is the prevention of ARVI.
• Against seizures. Lotions with broths made from pumpkin leaves significantly enclose convulsive states.

Raw

The benefits of raw pumpkin are due to its chemical composition. All nutrients remain intact, because the vegetable does not undergo heat treatment.

Including fresh pumpkin in your diet is one way to saturate the body with all the nutrients.

Before use, you only need to peel it, it is most often used as an ingredient for salads.

Pumpkin nectar

Pumpkin nectar is another fresh vegetable derived product. It is recommended at night before going to bed, because helps to calm the agitated nervous system and acts as a natural sleeping pill.

Also, the juice is useful for:

• removal of puffiness;
• normalization of the liver and kidneys;
• normal functioning of the urinary tract.

Compresses based on it are an effective remedy for burns and mechanical damage to the skin, as well as in the treatment of eczema.

The healing properties of pumpkin nectar lie in the high content of ascorbic acid, therefore it is used as an additional alternative therapy in the treatment of colds.

Boiled pumpkin

Pumpkin helps to reduce excess weight

When boiled and steamed, pumpkin loses an insignificant composition of nutrients, but the largest amount remains, so it does not reduce its properties.

When boiled, pumpkin remains low in calories, is easily digestible, promotes weight loss, cleanses from slagging, and reduces puffiness. Therefore, it is indicated for people with irritated stomach mucous membranes and gastritis.

It is not recommended in boiled form:

• for diabetics, becausewith this processing, a sweet vegetable increases the glycemic index;
• with a weak intestine, because possesses laxative properties.

Candied pumpkin

Dried pumpkin is another low-calorie food that is beneficial to include in the diet against a number of diseases.

When dried, the vegetable retains most of the vitamin elements, and its storage is permissible for a long time.

Candied fruits have a beneficial effect on the digestive system, improve metabolic processes, act as a choleretic agent and help strengthen memory.

Dried chips and dried candied pumpkin fruits are not recommended for people with weak intestines, because this product improves intestinal motility and cleanses the stomach.

Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are used to make oil with a wide range of medicinal effects.

It contains a high proportion of protein components, a large amount of macro- and microelements that have a positive effect on the digestive, cardiac, endocrine and nervous systems.

Pumpkin seed oil is recommended for external use in the treatment of mucous membranes damaged by ulcers and erosion, has bactericidal and wound healing properties.

White cake from seeds and seed sprouts are used in folk medicine as a means of normalizing liver function in hepatitis, regulating kidney function.

It is useful to take them as a dietary supplement to lower cholesterol levels and cleanse the body.

Pumpkin inflorescences

Pumpkin flowers can be cured for coughs.

To this end, they are baked in a mixture with dough or a decoction is prepared from the inflorescences (2 tablespoons of flowers per 200 ml of water, boil for 5 minutes, insist 0.5 hours). Cakes with pumpkin inflorescences are eaten with severe coughing attacks.

Medicinal decoctions are drunk at 0.5 tbsp. 3 times a day before meals.

Features of drying pumpkin for decorative purposes

For decorative purposes, whole pumpkins are used, so the cooking technology will be different.

Drying technique for using fruits in crafts:

1. The fruits are washed and dried.
2. The stalk is carefully cut.
3. Take out the seeds and pulp with a spoon.
4. Treat the fetus from the inside with alcohol for disinfection.
5. Placed on a wooden tray for drying. The room should be dry and cool.

Did you know? The maximum recorded distance for burning the Jack-Lantern from a pumpkin is 1690.24 m. For this, Ralph J. Ashbourne used his air cannon. The record was set on September 9, 2010 in Moab, Utah, USA.

Direct sunlight should not affect the workpieces during drying. There should be enough space on the pallet for air to circulate freely around the workpieces. The air warms up to a temperature of + 10 ° С, relative humidity - no higher than 70%. The fruits will dry for about 3-6 months.

It is necessary to dry fruits for decorative crafts for Halloween and other autumn holidays 1.5 months before their onset. Often the question arises, is it possible to dry the pumpkin quickly if you need the craft urgently.

Of course, you can use the oven and carry out the drying in several stages. Dry the inside of the fruit with paper towels for several hours. They must be changed as they get wet. As soon as the napkin remains dry, the workpieces are sent to dry in the oven. Within 8 hours, it is necessary that the temperature remains stable (+60 ° C). For uniform processing, the fruit is periodically turned.

Cooking description:

Pumpkin goes well with citrus fruits. Therefore, if you want to give the dried pumpkin a light citrus flavor, then at the third stage, you can add orange juice or grated zest to the syrup. Lemon is also suitable for these purposes. And if you like a spicier taste, you can add a few crushed clove flowers to the syrup.The average moisture content of such dried pumpkin is about 22%.
Purpose: For children / For an afternoon snack Main ingredient: Vegetables / Pumpkin Dish: Desserts Cuisine geography: Russian cuisine Diet: Diet food / Vegetarian food / Low-calorie

How to dry pumpkin for the winter

Drying naturally

Pieces of pumpkin are laid out in a single layer on pallets or racks, which is more preferable. The containers are exposed to the sun. This can be a balcony or a veranda at home. Direct sunlight can cope with drying the pumpkin in 6 to 10 days if the weather is dry and warm. To protect the thread from dust and insects, it is advisable to cover it with a piece of gauze cloth.

Another way is to dry it over a gas stove. Pumpkin slices are planted with a needle on a strong nylon thread or fishing line. The "garland" is suspended over a gas stove and the liquid is allowed to evaporate completely from the product.

Watch a video from Vadim Kryuchkov on how to dry pumpkin in a natural way

Drying in the oven

Cut the pumpkin into plates or pieces no more than 1 centimeter thick and blanch it as described above. On a baking sheet, spread the slices in one layer, leaving a small distance between the slices.

The oven is heated and the slices are placed there. The door is kept slightly ajar during the entire dehydration process. Drying takes place in two stages:

• For the first 5 hours, the pumpkin must be dried at a temperature of 55 - 60 degrees. Then the slices are turned over and allowed to cool completely.
• At the final stage, the temperature is increased to 75 - 80 degrees and drying is continued until fully cooked.

In an electric dryer

This unit is able to greatly facilitate the pumpkin drying process, since human intervention in this process will be minimal. The processed slices are laid out on grates, leaving a small gap between them.

The exposure temperature during the entire drying process will be the same - 55 - 60 degrees. To prevent the product from sticking to the grates, after the first 1.5 hours, the slices can be turned over, but this step is not at all necessary.

The total drying time depends on the thickness of the pieces and the humidity of the ambient air. On average, it is 12 - 20 hours.

Watch the video from the channel "Ezidri Master" - Dried pumpkin for the winter. Pumpkin powder

Drying pumpkin outdoors

The easiest method to prepare dried pumpkin is to dry it outdoors. The only prerequisite for this is sunny weather and constant supervision. In this case, the process is delayed up to 2 weeks.

Attention! Do not forget about insects - in order to avoid possible harm, it is better to cover the pumpkin with gauze.

First, you need to spread the pre-cut pieces of pulp on a baking sheet and cover them with parchment paper - this will avoid direct sunlight and provide excellent ventilation. Turn the pieces once a day. After a week of this drying, you can remove the parchment and continue drying in direct sunlight. The product will be ready in a week.

Dried pumpkin: ways

For drying pumpkins, they use an oven, an electric dryer, an airfryer, and they are also dried in natural conditions.

On air

To cook dried pumpkin in the air, you need:

• Place the prepared pieces in a sieve with good ventilation, in a place protected from direct sunlight;
• After a few days, be sure to mix the pieces and leave for another two days;
• After two days, take them out in the sun, leaving them for two days;
• Typically the air drying process takes 5 to 7 days.

On air:

Before drying the pumpkin in the oven, blanch it to make it tasty and beautiful. The whole process will take about 8 hours:

1. Wash the vegetable and dry with a paper towel;
2. Peel, remove pulp and seeds;
3. Cut into strips of the same size (no more than a centimeter);
4. Bring the salted water in a saucepan to a boil;
5. Cook the strips in boiling water for one to two minutes;
6. Take it out with a slotted spoon and immediately immerse it in ice water for two minutes;
7. Put in a colander to allow excess water to glass;
8. Preheat the oven to a temperature of 55 to 65 degrees;
9. Place the pumpkin strips on a baking sheet, leaving gaps between them;
10. Place the baking sheet in the oven for five hours. Do not close the oven door tightly to evaporate condensate;
11. After five hours, increase the temperature in the oven to 80-85 degrees, dry the pumpkin for about two to three hours;
12. Cool pumpkin strips, put in glass jars or canvas bags, put away for storage.

How to dry in the oven:

The drying process in an electric dryer is practically no different from drying in the oven:

1. Place the prepared vegetable on the wire rack and set the maximum temperature on the dryer.
2. When the pumpkin begins to dry out a little, reduce the temperature to 65 degrees and dry until cooked.

Candied pumpkin in the dryer: recipe:

How to cook pumpkin

For the hostess in the kitchen, a pumpkin is a wonderful find. You can say it in any way: grate it raw on a salad grater, squeeze pumpkin juice, bake in the oven, fry with oil, add to porridge or cook as an independent side dish. They even make filling for homemade pies, pumpkin jam, pumpkin honey, and bake healthy pumpkin bread.

We offer several simple recipes that include pumpkin. Try it - you'll love it!

1. Pumpkin puree soup. Cut the pumpkin pulp into large pieces, add a little salt, cover with water so that it completely covers the pumpkin and simmer until tender. Then transfer everything to a blender and grind to a puree consistency. Season the finished soup with cream. ½ teaspoon of curry will add sophistication to the dish.
2. Millet porridge with pumpkin. Finely chop the pumpkin pulp into cubes, add millet, butter to taste, pour everything over with milk and cook until tender. You can also add some raisins or nuts. A wonderful and super healthy breakfast is ready!
3. Pumpkin pancakes. Grate the prepared pumpkin pulp, add one egg, half a glass of milk, and flour to make a batter. Season with salt to taste and start frying the pancakes in a skillet. For those who like to eat more, you can add sliced ​​strips of bacon to the dough. Serve the finished pancakes with sour cream.

The above recipes are simple and do not require much effort, so any housewife can handle pumpkin cooking in this way. And the key to success will always be the correct choice of vegetable, so be careful when buying it.

Candied pumpkin: recipes

Sesame chips

Slightly salty thin pumpkin plastics are a great alternative to potato chips. For pumpkin chips, choose dense varieties with unsweetened flesh. They are cooked in an electric dryer.

REFERENCE: Drying time and temperature conditions are different for each model of electric dryers. It is better to read the instructions for the electrical appliance.

Ingredients:

• Two kilograms of pumpkin;
• A tablespoon of any spices (paprika, black pepper, cumin, coriander, etc.);
• Salt - a tablespoon;
• Sesame seeds - a tablespoon;
• Water is two liters.

Cooking method:

1. Peel and cut the pumpkin into thin plastics no more than three millimeters wide;
2. Bring water to a boil, salt and put plastics in boiling water for a minute;
3. After blanching, quickly submerge the pumpkin in ice water;
4. Then take it out and put it on a towel or in a colander.
5. Place slightly damp, fresh plastics on a tray of an electric dryer, add seasonings to taste, sprinkle with sesame seeds;
6. Turn on the dryer and dry the pumpkin for about six hours at a temperature of 60 degrees;
7. Dry for two hours at a temperature of 80 degrees.

Pumpkin chips are fully cooked in eight hours. Store them in a glass container with a sealed lid.

Pumpkin Chips with Spicy Salsa:

Oven-dried sweet pumpkin pieces

Despite the fact that the finished dish itself contains enough sugar, some people strive to achieve maximum sugar content. The result is a dessert dish. For this, pieces of pumpkin are boiled in sugar syrup for 5 minutes, and then rolled in sugar or powdered sugar.

Regarding oven temperature, remember that excessive heat will caramelize the sugar quickly. The maximum possible temperature for this procedure will be 50 degrees. At the same time, the total drying time, taking into account one overturning of the pieces, increases to 9-10 hours.

How to dry and harden decorative pumpkins

Ornamental gourds are close relatives of gourds, squash and other vegetables in the Cucurbitaceous family such as cucumbers and melons. And they are all unpretentious in care.

There are two main types of ornamental pumpkins:

1. Cucurbita or squash with a soft crust - Colorful orange, gold and green gourds that look like table gourds but have unusual fun shapes. Cucurbita is commonly used as a wonderful fall decoration. They are beautiful as they are, and can also be used to carve a lantern, flower pot or saucer out of them. They can also be dried and preserved, but their vibrant colors will start to fade after a few months.
2. Lagenaria or hard shell pumpkin - These larger utilitarian pumpkins are used like the familiar birdhouses, bottles and buckets. The hard rind is green on the vine and changes color to yellowish brown and brown over time as it dries. An interesting fact, Lagenaria flowers bloom at night, unlike the usual yellow flowering of other pumpkins that we see in the daytime.

Collection of decorative pumpkins

• Regardless of the type of pumpkin, the crop is harvested when the stalks dry out and turn brown.
• Cut off the pumpkins along with a few centimeters of the stem.
• Collect all pumpkins before the frost hits. Unripe pumpkins will not be able to last long, but frost will damage the soft shell of the pumpkin completely, and even a light frost can change the color of the lagenaria and affect its ability to dry out.
• Discard damaged or spoiled pumpkins. They will immediately start to rot in the storage area.

Hardening ornamental pumpkins

It takes time for ornamental gourds to harden or dry. And there are no short cut methods like microwave drying. The outer shell of the pumpkin should dry completely, and then it will take a few more months for the flesh to dry and harden. Lagenaria will take twice as long to dry than Cucurbita.

Mold growth

1. First, wash the surface of the pumpkins with soapy water and allow them to dry. You can rub them with alcohol to make sure the surface is completely dry.
2. Place them in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight for about 1 week. The shell will begin to harden and change color. After a week, the surface of the pumpkin will be well dried.
3. Transfer them to a well-ventilated, dark place for at least 6 months. Make sure they are on the same layer and not touching each other. Allow air to enter underneath the pumpkins by placing them on a shield or surface with air holes. You may find it more convenient to hang the larger pumpkins for drying.
4. Check pumpkins daily or every other day and discard any that have started to rot, shrivel, or become soft. If mold appears (see photo), check to see if it can be removed with a dry cloth or a cloth dampened with bleach. If the pumpkin is firm to the touch, you should be fine. Drying pumpkins is not an easy process, though.
5. Rotate the fruit every couple of weeks to dry evenly and prevent rotting.
6. When the pumpkins are light and firm and you can hear the seeds rumble inside when shaken, then they are ready. Now you can cut, paint, wax, shellac and decorate as soon as you want. Pumpkins with a hard rind can feel rough or flaky and can be smoothed or polished with fine compressed steel wool or fine sandpaper. And they will serve you indefinitely.

Peeling

Growing ornamental pumpkins can be a mania. Fortunately, there are many different types and even if you don't already have room to store them, decorative pumpkins are always a welcome gift.

Is pumpkin good for weight loss?

Not only due to its low calorie content, pumpkin is useful for inclusion in the diet. It speeds up metabolic processes, allows you to quickly burn fats, remove toxins. And the unique vitamin T prevents folds from appearing after losing weight. Fiber prevents fat from being absorbed.

The benefit of pumpkin is that it consists of 91% structured water, which is healing for the human body.

There is even a pumpkin-based diet. Its essence is that only it should be consumed for 14 days. You can expect minus 6-8 kg.

What can be made from dried pumpkin

The finished product has a sweet taste and retains all the useful properties of a fresh product, therefore it is often used in combination with other dried fruits to prepare various vitamin mixtures. The most popular dried pumpkin recipe is:

• 100 g of finished pumpkin;
• 100 g dried apricots;
• 100 g of walnuts;
• zest of one lemon;
• 100 g of liquid honey.

All ingredients are chopped through a meat grinder and mixed. The finished mixture is placed in a jar. Daily use of 1 tbsp. l. such a product allows you to forget about the lack of vitamins and improves overall well-being.