Pumpkin, also known as squash or squash, is one of the most consumed autumn foods, and it is no wonder. Due to its size and price, it is a perfect vegetable full of nutrients to be able to make all kinds of recipes. Due to its characteristic sweetness, it can be used both for accompaniments as for creams or desserts. This great vegetable belongs to the same group as zucchini or melon and is 90% water, so its contribution of fat and calories is very low and thus, it is very easy to add to a healthy diet. So, can pumpkin be frozen?
However, it is normal that, if you have ever faced a pumpkin on your own, you have realized that it is going to cost you to output so much. This is why many people wonder can pumpkin be frozen. The answer is yes and, in this article, we will give you the best tips so you can learn how to do it to enjoy pumpkin whenever you want.
Can pumpkin be frozen?
One of the doubts that we may have when we consider freezing the pumpkin is whether it will withstand the cold well or if it will spoil. To answer this question, we must first ask ourselves what its state will be when we decide to freeze it: raw, cooked or in cream.
Can raw pumpkin be frozen?
Many people choose this option because it is the fastest and easiest. And yes, it can be frozen and left in the freezer for several weeks without problems. However, we must bear in mind that, as it has a composition that is mostly water when it is defrosted, it will have a more flaccid appearance and texture and will have lost firmness.
Can roasted pumpkin be frozen?
Another way in which we can also freeze the pumpkin is after we have cooked it, for example, cooked or roasted. The good thing about using this method is that, since it is already cooked and seasoned, when you want to use it you will only have to defrost and heat it but, as we said in the case of the raw, its texture will change a little due to the change in the state of the water, although it will still be in good condition to eat.
Can pumpkin cream be frozen?
However, when we freeze pumpkin that has been previously creamed or pureed, the results are always assured. It is one of the best ways to freeze pumpkin and when you want to defrost it, it will be ready to eat and with the same appearance as freshly made.
How to freeze pumpkin?
As you have seen, the pumpkin, in addition to being versatile, is grateful for its conservation since, although it is not exactly the same as it was just bought, it can last a long time without losing its properties. Next, we explain how to freeze it depending on how you are going to prepare it:
- Freeze Raw Pumpkin: Wash, peel, and clean the pumpkin until only the orange flesh remains. With a good knife, cut it into squares that fit in the palm of your hand and proceed to put them all in a bag suitable for freezing.
- Freezing roasted pumpkin: after washing and cleaning the pumpkin, cut it into slices and put them on a baking sheet lined with foil. Season with salt and spices to taste, add a dash of olive oil and put it in the oven until soft and golden. The result, as in raw, should be put in a special bag for refrigerator and freeze.
- Frozen pumpkin cream: The cream of pumpkin soup is simple to make and very versatile. You just have to put the washed, peeled and cleaned pumpkin, cut it into pieces in a pot with water and leave it until it is cooked. Once it is soft and crumbles, place in a blender accompanied by the spices that you like the most and beat until a creamy texture is left. The result can be put in a container, lunch box or plastic topper and put in the freezer to freeze.
How to defrost pumpkin?
Whichever way you prefer, you have already seen that pumpkin offers many alternatives to freeze it and be able to enjoy it whenever you want. However, when defrosting it for consumption, the state in which it was frozen must be taken into account so that the pumpkin is not damaged:
- Thawing raw pumpkin: The best way is to let it thaw on its own in the fridge, which usually takes overnight. If you don’t have that much time, you can submerge it in cold water.
- Defrosting roasted or cooked pumpkin: in this case, it is also advisable to let it thaw on its own and warm it up once at room temperature. However, if you do not have time, you can put it directly in the oven as it will evaporate the excess water from the frozen.
- Defrost pumpkin cream: you can, once again, let it thaw on its own. However, since you are going to finally consume the water content in the form of a cream, you can put it directly in a wave and thaw it with heat to consume it immediately.
