Select pumpkins that have a neat shape, golden skin, and are free of insect bites. In fact, if you scrub the skin clean, you can eat the pumpkin with the skin on for even greater nutritional value. However, some people find the skin tough and brittle, so how do you cut it?

Heating the pumpkin for easier cutting

Simply heating the pumpkin slightly makes it easier to remove stubborn skin. Heated pumpkin skin also prevents it from producing a sticky, milky liquid that can turn your fingers black when touched. Let’s learn how to treat pumpkins.

Soaking Method

Place the whole pumpkin in a pot or pan. Pour boiling water over the pumpkin from top to cover. Cover and let it sit for 2 minutes.

Steaming Method

Place the whole pumpkin in a rice cooker. Add a small amount of water (about 1/4 cup) to the outer pot. Steam for 3-5 minutes.

Microwave Method

Poke a few holes in the pumpkin with a fork and microwave it for 3-5 minutes at a time. Be sure to heat it in batches; avoid heating it for too long at once, as it might explode! If the skin feels tough after the initial heating, this is normal; microwave it for another 30 seconds to 1 minute.

A quick reminder: these reheating methods only require a short burst, just to make the pumpkin easier to cut; you don’t need to cook it all the way through. After reheating, rinse the pumpkin with cold water or let it cool. Once it’s cool enough to touch, you can peel and cut it.

Cut the top first, then the bottom. Then lay the pumpkin flat, holding it down, and peel it with the cut facing outward. Remember to keep the cut facing downward each time you cut. This will keep the bottom stable and prevent any wobbling that could cause you to accidentally cut your hand.

How to store pumpkin? Remove the seeds, cook, and freeze.

You may not be able to eat the whole pumpkin you bought home immediately. At this point, you can first remove the seeds and cotton fibers from the pumpkin. Slice or cut it into pieces, cook it, and then place it in a plastic bag or container and refrigerate it. When you want to eat it later, you can simply reheat it without defrosting it.

Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene and minerals.

Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which have been shown in many clinical studies to increase the density of macular pigment in the retina and reduce macular degeneration.

Pumpkin is rich in phytochemicals, zinc, and other nutrients. Zinc can relieve benign prostatic hyperplasia and prevent prostate cancer, while cobalt can promote insulin secretion and enhance glucose metabolism.

However, diabetics should still consume pumpkin in moderation. Because pumpkin is a whole grain and root vegetable, not a vegetable, 100 grams of pumpkin has the same calories as 1/4 bowl of rice. Be careful not to overeat.