Pumpkin: Facts, Bread & Muffin-Erakina

Introduction:

Pumpkin bread pumpkin  belonging to the squash family are native to North America and are part of traditions and meals from the oldest times as 7000 BC. Pumpkin pumpkin are medium to large size, ribbed, hard outer skin but soft inside and bright orange. They are soft and fleshy inside with seeds that are also good for consumption. They are one of the oldest plants widely domesticated.[Pumpkin bread]

From pies, and soups to decorative lanterns for Halloween, pumpkins are extensively popular. Pumpkin is a versatile vegetable used in cooking and baking. From the hard skin, soft pulp, and seeds, pumpkins are useful in every way. It is generally planted in early July as it is a warm weather crop and needs some specific type of soil along with favorable temperature to grow.

The name Pumpkin comes from the Greek or Romanized word ‘pepon’. Another word in Latin was ‘peponem’ and then modern English pompion, which was finally changed to pumpkin in English during the 17^th century. In countries like North America, the UK, Australia, and England, pumpkin refers to all winter squash.

The botanical name of some of the cultivars of pumpkin is Cucurbita pepo, C. moschata, Cucurbita maxima, and C. argyrosperma.[Pumpkin bread]

Wordplay with Pumpkin

 

Pumpkin: Facts, Uses & benefits 

There are many varieties of pumpkins. Some of them as per size and color are as below:

1. Giant pumpkins are large, as the name suggests. They are grown for contests and are less flavorful than smaller pumpkins but consumed in many ways.

2. Jack-o’- lantern pumpkins are used for carving purposes, as seen during Halloween for making lamps etc. These are also big. The pulp and seeds are taken out, and the hard skin is carved to make various shapes. 

3. White pumpkins are used for cooking and decoration as well.

4. Miniature pumpkins are good in flavor and taste. They are also used for both cooking and decoration.5.Pie pumpkins are a smaller and tastier variety used mainly for cooking. These are sweet and flavorful and good for various recipes.

 

How to make Pumpkin bread?

Let us look at a simple recipe for making pumpkin bread.

Ingredients:

Method:

Sift the flour and mix it with baking powder, spices, and salt in a bowl and keep aside. Now take butter and sugar in a bowl and mix well. Add the eggs and whisk nicely with a beater until smooth. Add the pumpkin and mix. Finally, add the flour mixture and mix well. Whisk it slowly to get a smooth mixture and then set it well in pre-greased loaf pans. Bake it in a preheated oven of 350⁰ F for 60-70 mins. Check it with a skewer.[Pumpkin bread]

If it comes clean, then the bread is ready. Take it out from the oven and let it cool. It is ready to serve.[Pumpkin bread] Parchment paper can also be used instead of greasing the loaf pans. This recipe makes 2 loaves or 4 small loaves as per the size of the pans. You can enjoy it with breakfast or evening snacks with tea or coffee. This can be stored in the refrigerator for about a month.

How to make Pumpkin Muffins?

The same process and ingredients are used to make muffins as given above. Use a greased muffin tray and bake them instead of the loaf pan. You can also add dry fruits or Choco chips to the batter before baking. It is ready to serve.

 

Pumpkin: Health Benefits

Nutritional Value:

Pumpkin is beneficial for various nutritious factors. Essential vitamins and minerals present in pumpkin are vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, Iron, Potassium, and copper. It has few calories but is good in fiber and carbohydrates. It also contains some amount of protein and fat.[Pumpkin bread]

Helps regulate blood pressure:

Pumpkin benefits for heart health for the fiber, vitamin C, and potassium content. Potassium plays an important role in treating high blood pressure and  preventing cardiovascular diseases.        

Helps prevent cancer :

Well planned and healthy diet prevents diseases. The carotenoids, antioxidants, vitamin E, and vitamin A, which are present in pumpkin help prevent cancer. Beta carotene in pumpkin is also an important factor that controls colon and prostate cancer.

Helps control blood sugar levels:

Although further studies are required, pumpkin polysaccharides are found to reduce blood sugar to some extent in cases of type 2 diabetes.

Beneficial for eyes:

Beta carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C, and antioxidants in pumpkins prevent damage and support eye health. It also reduces aging or age-related macular degeneration of the eyes. 

Better Immunity :

The beta-carotene converts to vitamin A after consumption which is good for better immunity. Vitamin C also improves immunity and increases white blood cells.

Beneficial for skin:

Apart from vitamin E and vitamin C plays an important role to maintain healthy skin. The beta-carotene present in pumpkins is also beneficial for the skin. Vitamin C helps heal wounds and also prevents wounds, while collagen formation due to vitamin C improves skin. Vitamin A protects or prevents sun damage and works as an antioxidant.[Pumpkin bread]

Pumpkin seeds:

 

They are crunchy and popular as a snack, also known as pepitas. These are packed with nutrients such as Protein, carbohydrates, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Zinc, Copper, and fiber.[Pumpkin bread] 

• These are also good in calories and some amount of fat. Compared to fat content, they are low in carbohydrates which makes them beneficial for people following a low-carb diet.
• Manganese and vitamin A help heal wounds, and zinc fights bacteria or viruses in the body. 
• Since pumpkin seeds are high in calories, it is good to consume them in moderate amounts. They are also a good source of phosphorus. 
• Another beneficial content is tryptophan which is an amino acid that promotes sleep.
• Magnesium also helps minimize anxiety and stress. 

Pumpkin seeds can be consumed in multiple ways. You can add them to smoothies, cereals, or soups. They can be blended in dips or added to cookies or bread. About 30 grams of pumpkin seeds are enough to consume per day, as per American Health Association. The anti-inflammatory properties help reduce inflammation and pain like arthritis. DHEA (Di-hydro epi-androstenedione) helps prevent risks of prostate cancer.[Pumpkin bread]

If you are struggling with obesity or weight management, pumpkin seeds help you with high fiber and prevent binge eating. Cucurbitacin is an amino acid that promotes hair growth. Vitamin C and cucurbitacin in pumpkin seeds can give you healthy hair when consumed regularly. Pumpkin seed oil is also available, which can be applied to the scalp.

Conclusion

Nowadays various canned or frozen pumpkins are available in the market and are popularly used. It is generally harmless and non-allergic, but precautions are required in case of any visible allergic issues.[Pumpkin bread] There are various delicious recipes where pumpkin can be used in multiple ways from dessert to soups or a bowl of vegetables. It is delicious and beneficial for health in every way and can be enjoyed by gaining the benefits.

Internal links:

Ezekiel bread, the healthiest bread to eat daily- Erakina

Spicy flat-bread: Aloo paratha – Erakina

Zucchette Pasta: An appetizing Fall Comfort Food

External links:

Read more about Pumpkin bread facts, muffin