Autumn is the perfect season to buy the best pumpkins, a vegetable that is essentially useful for the body because it provides beta-carotene, fiber and potassium. It is also essential for its high content of calcium and phosphorus.
It is a versatile food that serves as an ingredient for soups, desserts and creams; but you can also take advantage of it grated, in juices or in the form of gazpachos .
To enjoy its incredible flavor and take advantage of each of its properties, it is important to know how to choose the right one. That is why we want you to discover together with us the 7 things to look for to choose the best pumpkin before buying.
Tips for choosing the best pumpkin
Bringing home the best pumpkin is a simple matter, as long as you take the following tips into consideration, so pay attention.
- Attentive to the appearance of the skin: The best pumpkin option is one whose skin is hard and firm. In this way, it protects the pulp of the vegetable much better. Avoid those that are bruised, have streaks and other imperfections that compromise their quality.
- Color is essential: The pumpkin must be shiny and uniform in color. This aspect will account for the quality of this vegetable.
- Make it heavy: Do not trust the weight that is marked, so the best recommendation is to take it with your arms and detect by yourself how heavy it is. The heavier it is, the higher quality its pulp guarantees. For this reason, they are perfect for making creams, purees or fruits.
- Stem: When choosing, pay close attention to the stem, because the best pumpkin is one whose stem is firm and dry. Otherwise, it is a poor quality vegetable that will surely not guarantee a good taste.
- Sound: Do you want to choose a good pumpkin to use as an ingredient for a delicious cream? Well, tap it gently and find a hollow sound. If you notice it, it is because the vegetable is perfect to take home; otherwise, look for other options.
- Bumps and cuts: Pumpkins that have bumps and some cuts can go bad faster, so if you don’t plan on consuming it immediately after purchasing, it’s not a good alternative.
- For Halloween: When it comes to a pumpkin for Halloween night, you must choose the most suitable one. This is the one that has a size greater than the watermelon. Note that they are less heavy and that their pulp is much more watery. Remember that the heavier they are, the more difficult the carving process will be.
Pumpkin is a food that provides substantial benefits to the human body. The most important is that it boosts the immune system, which is essentially useful during cold seasons, in order to prevent illnesses such as the flu.
It is a food as beneficial as potatoes and sweet potatoes , which is why its consumption has become popular.