Is it possible to freeze pumpkin for the winter? How to freeze pumpkin for the winter at home - various methods and duration of storage. Does pumpkin lose its beneficial properties when frozen?
A healthy body is considered a real treasure for a person who leads an active lifestyle. To constantly maintain it, you need vitamins, and freezing pumpkin for the winter is a wonderful opportunity to stock up on them. As you know, the fruit is well preserved in the basement, provided that there are no scratches, cracks and there is a dry root. But not everyone can afford such luxury. It is quite difficult to store large fruits in a city apartment. And when cut, they quickly deteriorate and lose their valuable properties. What is the best way to solve this problem? Let's find out what the experts say.
Freezing pumpkin for the winter: proper preparation of the product
Since ancient times, gardeners have valued the unique pumpkin fruit for its beneficial properties, excellent taste and external beauty. It contains a whole arsenal of vital elements for the body:
- carotene;
- pectin;
- potassium;
- carbohydrates;
- cellulose;
- vitamins of group B, C, E, D.
Therefore, sensible housewives try to serve the fruit as often as possible for family meals. They often wonder whether it is possible to freeze pumpkin for storage in order to prepare various dishes from it in winter. Experienced cooks confirm the effectiveness of this method. The main thing is to make preparations according to accepted rules.
To prevent vegetable slices from sticking together during storage, they should be placed in small bags or containers. This makes it much more convenient to use the product for cooking.
There are several options for freezing bright vegetables for the winter, which are practiced by true connoisseurs of the healthy fruit. Some housewives cut it into pieces, put it in plastic bags, and then place it in the freezer. Unfortunately, the product turns out watery and is only suitable for making purees. Experts advise freezing pumpkin for the winter in three variations:
- raw product;
- boiled;
- baked.
This approach allows you to determine in advance for what purpose the semi-finished product will be used:
- garnish;
- pie filling;
- baby food;
- pancakes.
When the goal has been set, you can start freezing the pumpkin for the winter at home and the first step is preparatory work.
Suitable fruit is the key to success
First, select a sufficiently ripe product of any variety. It must meet the requirements:
- small size;
- elongated shape;
- no visible cracks;
- no darkening;
- no dents;
- dry root;
- bright orange color of the pulp;
- pleasant aroma.
It is then washed thoroughly under running water to remove any remaining soil or debris. Using a sharp knife, cut the vegetable in half. Remove the seeds with fibrous pulp. Wipe the resulting craters with a kitchen towel or napkin.
It is advisable to wash the seeds, dry them and eat them raw on an empty stomach. This is a wonderful method of fighting worms.
Methods for slicing raw product
Depending on the chosen harvesting method, cutting is done. Some housewives doubt whether it is possible to freeze pumpkin with peel to increase the volume of the product. Experienced cooks have noticed that when raw it is very tough, so it is better to remove it. To do this, cut the pumpkin into several parts and carefully remove the peel. Then chop:
- cubes;
- straws;
- long stripes;
- on a coarse grater.
Each housewife chooses an option that is suitable for her winter menu.
Let's look at the main ways to store pumpkin in the refrigerator.
Freezing raw fruit
First of all, remove the peel from the vegetable. Cut into cubes of various sizes. If the preparation is made for filling pies, small options are suitable. For preparing hot dishes, large sizes are allowed. Next, they are laid out on a countertop or cutting board covered with cling film. When the cubes are a little dry, put them in the freezer. After 30 minutes, the finished product is transferred to bags or special containers. The grated pumpkin is packaged and immediately placed in a chamber with a temperature of –18°C.
It is advisable to label bags of grated product. When frozen, they are very similar to carrots.
Boiled product for all occasions
Young mothers should know how to freeze pumpkin for the winter to feed small children. Since this product is an important ingredient for babies, it needs to be prepared in such a way as to preserve the beneficial elements. To do this, pumpkin is cooked in the following ways:
- Boil water in a large container. Place the slices there for a few minutes. When they soften, take them out immediately.
- Heat treatment in a microwave oven. Vegetable pieces are placed in a special bowl. Set to maximum power and cook for 15 minutes.
- Using a steamer. For a quarter of an hour, the product is kept over steam. Place the finished pumpkin in a colander to drain the water.
Whatever cooking method is used, the main thing is to bring the fruit to a soft state. After this, it is crushed to a homogeneous consistency and placed in bags, cups or small containers. The cooled pieces are placed in the freezer.
It is advisable to freeze pumpkin for the winter to feed children in small containers in order to rationally use the product.
Storing baked “queen” vitamin
As you know, pumpkin prepared in this way is considered a particularly healthy product. Even when frozen, it does not lose its properties. The fruit is baked in two ways: cubes or slices. In the first case, you need to remove the peel, in the second, the product is cleaned after heat treatment.
The finished pumpkin is crushed using a masher or a table fork. The puree is placed in small molds or silicone cups.
Try filling ice cube trays with pumpkin puree. After freezing, unpack the finished cubes into thick plastic bags.
We prepare excellent treats from frozen pumpkin
Before you start preparing the amber fruit, you need to properly defrost the ingredient. There are several basic rules:
- Pumpkin pieces are immediately immersed in boiling water;
- the finished puree is placed on the lower tier of the refrigerator for several hours;
- a homogeneous mass of vegetables is defrosted in a microwave oven;
- the grated product is added at the very end of cooking.
Let's look at popular recipes for frozen pumpkin for the winter, which are offered by experienced chefs.
Fragrant casserole
The dish is often served for breakfast or dinner. It has excellent taste and aroma. To prepare you will need ingredients:
- 0.5 kg frozen pumpkin;
- juicy (200 g);
- chicken eggs (2 or 3 pieces);
- semolina (100 g);
- granulated sugar (tablespoon);
- butter (150 g);
- a pinch of baking soda;
- salt according to the cook's preference.
First you need to figure out how to cook frozen pumpkin for casserole to get an excellent delicacy. To do this, place it in hot water and boil until soft. Then the liquid is drained, salt is added and mashed with a masher. 
Add grated apples, butter, semolina, and soda to the cooled puree. After this, the ingredients are mixed and poured with eggs beaten with sugar. The finished pulp is transferred to a baking dish covered with foil or special paper. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes at a maximum temperature of 200°C.
Charlotte for dessert
For those who don’t know what can be made from frozen pumpkin, culinary experts offer a simple recipe for charlotte. To prepare it you will need the following products:
- frozen pumpkin;
- flour;
- eggs;
- sugar;
- soda or baking powder;
- salt to taste.
Prepare regular charlotte dough in a separate container. Next, a baking pan with high sides is covered with parchment. Pieces of frozen raw pumpkin are placed on the bottom. Vegetables are poured with the prepared dough. Bake in the oven at a temperature of approximately 180° C. Serve the dish for breakfast or dinner.
Practice shows that many dishes can be prepared from frozen pumpkin. The main thing is to get inspired, turn on your imagination and act. Let there always be on the table the amber “queen” of vegetables – Her Majesty – “Pumpkin”.
Video recipes for freezing pumpkin
How to freeze pumpkin for the winter? Is it necessary to do this - after all, on some sites they write that after defrosting it becomes practically inedible?
Everything is correct. If you treat it like zucchini or carrots, that is, cut it into pieces and put it in the freezer, the result will not please you very much. Frozen pumpkin will most likely become watery, but it is quite suitable for preparing some dishes, such as creamed soups.
If you have other goals, read my advice. Perhaps one of them will help you properly freeze pumpkin for the winter.
How to freeze raw pumpkin into cubes
Peel the washed pumpkin. Place the pumpkin upright on a cutting board, with one flat surface on the board and the other side facing you. Hold the pumpkin steady with one hand. Using your other hand, cut directly off the skin of the pumpkin. Cut everything lengthwise until you remove the peel completely.
Continue cutting the skin in strips until the pumpkin is completely peeled. Use a serrated kitchen knife to cut the pumpkin into equal-sized pieces. It is best if the pumpkin pieces are square, with a side of about 2-3 cm.
Arrange the vegetable cubes on a baking sheet in a single layer. Place this baking sheet in the freezer to allow the pumpkin to freeze completely within a few hours. It is important that the pieces do not overlap or touch during this process. Place the pumpkin on a freezing tray so that the cubes are separated from each other. If the pumpkin pieces touch each other while freezing, they will eventually stick together.
How to Freeze Grated Pumpkin
And this option is possible, especially if you like all kinds of vegetable sauces. To freeze grated pumpkin, you need to wash it, peel it, remove the seeds, and cut it into pieces convenient for grating. And then grate it, put it in a bag and tie it tightly, and then put it in the freezer. Occasionally I freeze a mixture of grated pumpkin and grated carrots.
For those who have not tried to prepare gravy with pumpkin, a little hint: it is suitable for dietary dishes made from chicken breast, various options for preparing rabbit and beef. To go with lean meat, juicy pumpkin is just what you need!
The easiest way to prepare gravy: melt butter in a saucepan, add grated pumpkin (70-80 grams of butter per 200 grams of pumpkin), stir, add a little grated carrots and celery root if desired. Simmer until softened, stirring occasionally. Add salt and spices to taste. Pour this gravy over the finished meat dish.
How to Freeze Pumpkin Puree
Pumpkin puree is made from baked pulp. Wash the vegetable, cut first in half and then into slices 3 cm thick. Place the pumpkin slices along with the peel on a baking sheet and place them in the oven to bake for 1 hour 10 minutes at 150 degrees.
Cut off the hard skin from the baked pumpkin - this is easy to do; the skin is easily separated from the baked pulp - and use a blender to turn the slices into a homogeneous puree. There is no need to add sugar, salt or other spices.
Place the puree into portioned forms for freezing. Place the pumpkin puree in the freezer until completely frozen. You can use molds of any size and style, even ice trays. I then take the cubes out of the ice trays and store them in a large plastic container, and cover the mashed potatoes in cups with food foil on top and store them in this form until spring.
Do you freeze pumpkin for the winter? What do you cook from it then?
We make it - it turns out very tasty, try it!
–An excellent, unpretentious dietary product that can be stored well and for a long time at home, without losing its original shape and set of nutrients. You can store the pumpkin in a dark cellar at a temperature of + 15 degrees or dry it - this is a very compact storage method.
But the most popular way to prepare pumpkin for the winter remains freezing. Is it possible to freeze pumpkin in pieces, how to prepare pumpkin for freezing at home and how to freeze it correctly, we will look at this article.
Is it possible to freeze pumpkin?
Sometimes you can hear the opinion that after defrosting, the pumpkin becomes practically inedible. This is partly true, but only if you do everything wrong. If you freeze it in the same way as carrots or zucchini, that is, simply cut it into pieces and put it in the freezer, then the pumpkin will be watery and suitable only for making cream soup.
Freezing raw pumpkin at home
How to prepare pumpkin for freezing
For freezing, be sure to take a whole pumpkin, and not a cut piece that has been lying at the market or in the refrigerator for some time. The pumpkin selected for freezing is thoroughly washed. Then you need to cut the pumpkin into two halves and cut out some of the pulp along with the seeds, since you can only freeze the hard part of the pumpkin.
Important! For freezing, it is very important to take a beautiful, well-shaped, strong, undamaged, and not rotten pumpkin.
To freeze pumpkin raw, you must first clean properly. To do this, place the pumpkin vertically on a cutting board. Holding the pumpkin with one hand, use a sharp knife to carefully cut the skin down to the base in one stroke. Continue cutting the skin in strips throughout the pumpkin, turning it.
Next, cut the pumpkin into equal 2-3 cm cubes using a sharp serrated kitchen knife. Arrange the pumpkin cubes on the baking sheet in a single layer so that they are not touching or overlapping.
Since the pumpkin expands in size when frozen, if the cubes touch, they will eventually stick together. Place the baking tray with cubes in the freezer for several hours so that the pumpkin freezes well.
You can also freeze fresh grated pumpkin. This preparation is well suited for fillings, baked goods and pancakes. You need to prepare the pumpkin in the same way as described above, grate it, place it in a plastic bag with a zipper and freeze.
Put into the bag exactly as much as you need for one time of use. The packages with the workpiece are compacted to a flat shape and sent to the freezer.
Packing and freezing pumpkin
Once the pumpkin cubes are frozen, transfer them to a container for further storage. This can be plastic containers - containers, jars of mayonnaise, yogurt, etc. or plastic bags with a zipper. Place pre-packaged containers or bags of preparations in the freezer.
Important! Before freezing the pumpkin in the freezer, check that you have left a couple of centimeters of free space in the container or bag with the preparation. Since the pumpkin expands in volume as it freezes, an overfilled bag may burst.
Pumpkin frozen this way can be stored for up to a year.
How to freeze cooked pumpkin
There are ways to freeze cooked pumpkin: boiled (blanched) or pureed. Many young mothers wonder whether it is possible to freeze pumpkin for a child and how to do it correctly. So, for use as a first food for children, it is recommended to freeze the finished pumpkin in the form of puree.
Pumpkin is very well absorbed by the children's body and helps with constipation, and also has a sweet taste, which children really like. Frozen pumpkin with your own hands will save mothers from searching for vitamins in the winter and the need to buy baby food of dubious quality.
How to prepare pumpkin for freezing
To freeze blanched pumpkin, you need to prepare it in the same way as for raw freezing in pieces. Wash, peel, cut into equal cubes or slices, place them on a towel and let dry.
Then pumpkin blanch. To do this, place the pumpkin pieces in a colander, lower it into boiling water for 3-4 minutes, and then immediately place it in ice water. Then remove the pumpkin cubes and dry on a towel. The prepared pumpkin should be placed on a baking sheet and placed in the freezer for several hours.
Now let's look at how to properly freeze pumpkin in the form of puree. Pre-washed pumpkin should be cut into 3 cm cubes along with the peel. If the pumpkin is very small, you can cut it into quarters or even halves.
There are several ways to prepare pumpkin for puree: in the microwave, on the stove or in the oven. The main thing is to cook it so that it becomes soft enough and can be easily pierced with a fork.
To cook pumpkin in the microwave Place the chopped pieces in a glass container filled with about 5 cm of water. Place in the oven and cook for 15-25 minutes at high temperature.
The exact time depends on the oven power and electrical voltage. Therefore, after the first 15 minutes, check for softness with a fork and, if necessary, increase the cooking time. To cook pumpkin in the oven You need to place the pumpkin pieces on a baking sheet and bake at 150 degrees for an hour and a half.
Did you know? Experienced chefs prefer pumpkin frozen for the winter in the form of puree, which is cooked in the oven. This allows you to preserve the best taste and not lose useful components, as can happen during cooking.
If you don't have an oven, you can boil pumpkin for puree. Boil 3 cm of water in a liter saucepan, add the chopped pumpkin and cook for 10-15 minutes until it is soft. Peel it and mash it. This can be done with a fork or using a blender. Once the pumpkin has cooled, transfer it to a freezer container.
Now let's look at how to prepare and freeze pumpkin for feeding your baby. For baby food The butternut squash variety is best: their flesh is sweeter, juicier and softer than other types. Pumpkin is baked in the oven in the same way as described above.
Puree in a blender and, after cooling, place in a container for freezing, leaving a little free space. You don't need large portions for baby food, so large ice cube trays work well.
step by step recipe with photos
Pumpkin is a source of healthy vitamins and minerals. This vegetable is traditionally baked, pickled, stewed, boiled and fried during its ripening season - autumn. But if you save the pumpkin for the winter, for example, freeze it, then you can use this preparation to create tasty and healthy colorful dishes for a whole year. Pumpkin cream, pumpkin pancakes, stew with pieces of pumpkin, etc. are very tasty - be guided by your culinary imagination.
In addition, freezing pumpkin does not require additional blanching or baking. You can grate the vegetable pulp on a coarse grater and place it in containers or bags, or cut it into portions.
Compound
- 300-400 g fresh pumpkin
Freezing pumpkin for the winter
1. When purchasing a pumpkin, be sure to smell it: a ripe vegetable emits a sweet aroma. Markets or supermarkets sell cut pieces of pumpkin - don’t hesitate to ask for the expiration date and the day the fruit was cut. You don’t have to buy a huge pumpkin to freeze - you can limit yourself to a small part of it. Rinse a piece of vegetable in water. Cut the peel to the pulp with a knife and cut the pulp itself into portion cubes or grate it on a coarse grater if you plan to create creams, purees, etc. from the pumpkin. Keep in mind that pumpkin cubes are suitable for preparing first and second courses, and the crushed mass does not require long-term heat treatment, so it is even suitable for stewing for the first feeding of babies.
2. Place the pumpkin mixture into prepared bags or containers. Tie the bags or seal the containers with lids and place in the freezer.
The shelf life of this product is 1 year. Remember that pumpkin mixture absorbs strong aromas, so it is unacceptable for it to be in the vicinity of bell peppers, smoked or garlic, onion products!
Note to the hostess
1. Pumpkin should be frozen in large quantities for people who plan to use it to get rid of eczema. If you defrost 5-6 cubes, boil them, knead them and apply the resulting puree mixed with flaxseed oil to the ulcerated areas, you will soon be able to get rid of itching and redness. In the acute stage, applications are done daily.
2. Thick, completely tasteless, inedible pumpkin peel will also work. Small shavings from it are poured into a basin with warm water (about 40 degrees) and the feet are immersed there. The swollen mass can be rubbed on your heels and skin between your toes like a scrub. This is one of the most effective preventive procedures that protect against mycoses. Attention: unlike melon pulp, its skin is not frozen. Washed and dried, it is normally stored in a closet, wrapped in a thin cotton rag, gauze or parchment.
3. Housewives who have made homemade marshmallows know that from apples it turns out white, from red berries - pink, from kiwi - light green. All that remains is to experiment with pumpkin in order to put on the table an airy dessert of a bright yellow hue, pamper your loved ones with it and amaze even those friends whose culinary skills are unrivaled. They will ask for the recipe!
A bright orange, sweet and appetizing vegetable decorates our table every fall. When properly stored, this fruit retains its mild taste for a long time. Is it possible to freeze pumpkin in the freezer, because fresh large pumpkin takes up a lot of space. Of course yes. Keeping it at room temperature is not easy. Therefore, the ideal solution for those who want to enjoy sweet pumpkin in winter is to freeze it. Our recipe will tell hardworking housewives how to freeze pumpkin for the winter.
You can create various preparations from this healthy vegetable. They make jam from it (adding various fruits and berries), make candied fruits, marshmallows, use it as a filling for pies, prepare porridge and even pickle it.
There are three ways to freeze pumpkin.
The first one (ground on a culinary grater) is perfect for creating pancakes and casseroles. Grated frozen pumpkin can be added to pancake batter, muffins, or sprinkled on casseroles. If you add it to the soup, the color of the broth will become soft orange and the taste will be pleasant.
The second (chopped into cubes) is for vegetable sautés, porridges with rice, salads and purees. This method of freezing allows storage for up to 12 months.
Pumpkin can also be frozen as a puree. This method is perfect for young mothers who are puzzling over the question of how to freeze a pumpkin for the winter for a child so that the fruit does not lose its beneficial properties.
Easy
Ingredients
- ripe pumpkin;
- Ziploc vegetable bags;
- kitchen napkin.
Preparation
For freezing, choose only juicy, ripe, bright and aromatic pumpkin. The best time to harvest sunny fruits is from September to November. At this time, the pumpkin is very juicy, sweet and tasty.
We prepare the necessary ingredients, rinse the sunny fruit under water, remove excess moisture, and remove thick skin and seeds.
The first version of the recipe talks about how to freeze pumpkin in pieces. 
Using a knife with a sharp blade, cut the fruit into small cubes or bars. To begin with, it is recommended to freeze the pumpkin pieces by placing them on a baking sheet so that they do not touch. 
We put the mixture into a special bag and close it tightly, trying to get all the air out of it. In this case, the plastic bag should not be completely filled. Pumpkin expands when frozen and therefore requires more space. Instead of a bag, you can use a plastic container, also without filling it to the brim. 
For the second option for freezing pumpkin, grind the vegetable on a culinary grater.
We put the resulting mass in a bag and put it in the freezer.
Use frozen pumpkin at your discretion. In this case, the frozen fruit is immediately dipped into the dish being prepared; the pumpkin most often does not require defrosting. You can add it to vegetable stews, soups, make filling for pies, and add it to manti. Pumpkin is a useful addition to cereals to diversify children's diet. Grated pumpkin mass can be added to the dough for pancakes or pancakes.
Let's briefly talk about the third method - how to freeze a pumpkin for the winter for a child. In this case, the vegetable is prepared for feeding infants. To do this, you need to puree the pumpkin. Vegetable pieces are boiled for 15 minutes or brought until soft in the microwave. Then all that remains is to puree the pumpkin using a blender or potato press, cool slightly, distribute into portioned containers and place in the freezer. Be sure to leave room for expansion.
Frozen pumpkin puree can be used to prepare complementary foods for very young children; puree can be added to pancake dough, yeast dough, and added to casseroles and porridges.
You can store pumpkin puree in the freezer for a long time - 10-12 months.
