Pineapple pumpkin got its name for its bright, sweet taste. Such a product will never be out of place in the kitchen: excellent snacks are prepared from the vegetable, added to porridge and frozen for the winter.
This variety is extremely rare on supermarket shelves, so summer residents prefer to grow it themselves. This is not difficult to do, especially since Pineapple Pumpkin is easy to care for and does not require much attention. Let us next consider what techniques summer residents use to obtain a rich harvest.
Big Moon pumpkin variety
For example, Big Moon pumpkins grow to 70–90 kg in 115–130 days, although only one ovary will have to be left on a powerful bush. The average weight of fruits suitable for drying, preparing home canned food and juices is 20–50 kg. On long vines, round or slightly flattened fruits ripen with a smooth yellow skin and juicy pulp that retains its taste well until spring.
Description of pineapple melon
Pineapple melon is a high-yielding mid-season variety. Heat-loving culture, very demanding of light. The period from germination to full ripening is 80-100 days.
Main characteristics of pineapple melon:
- fruit color – yellow-golden;
- the peel is dense, but not thick, with a slight mesh pattern;
- the pulp is tender, juicy, slightly oily, light cream in color;
- shape – round, slightly oblong;
- fruit weight – 1-3 kg;
- bright pineapple aroma.
Pineapple melon is easily transported, even over quite long distances, and is stored well. The shelf life of harvested fruits is 1.5-2 months, without any chemical treatment. The variety is perfectly adapted to any weather conditions, in particular, it easily tolerates temporary drops in temperature.
Pineapple melon is consumed both fresh and processed. Preserves, jams, jams, candied fruits, marmalade, juices and compotes are prepared from ripe fruits. Used for a variety of baked goods. You can also freeze it for future use so you can enjoy delicious fruit all year round.
The large amount of vitamins in pineapple melon makes it very healthy. It is recommended to include it in the menu for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. It is also useful to consume this fruit for anemia, anemia, gout, and tuberculosis.
Advice! People who are watching their figure should also pay attention to pineapple melon. Due to the large amount of fiber in fruits, it is an excellent addition to the diet.
Hundred Pound Pumpkin
110–140 days after germination, you can harvest the fruits of the Hundred Pound pumpkin. On long, up to seven meters, vines of the plant, yellow or orange spherical fruits are formed. Their surface is either smooth or with implicit ribbing. The bark of huge pumpkins, weighing from 10 to 50 kg, is thin, the flesh is loose, yellow-orange.
The value of a large-fruited pumpkin variety, as in the photo and in the description, is its high content of vitamins and minerals, organic acids and pectin. The pulp used in dietary nutrition has little sugar. Pumpkin can be used to obtain juices and make any dishes, including fresh salads.
The most popular varieties
Hokkaido pumpkin - the plant is grown in areas with a temperate climate. Taste notes may resemble nuts. Pumpkin fruits are in great demand, most likely due to their long shelf life, size and taste. The vitamin base of this pumpkin has a wide range of useful microelements. Plants can be grown both in the garden and at home.
Hokaido pumpkin
Figolifolia pumpkin - according to the botanical description, it is an annual plant. In practice, figleaf pumpkin can grow for more than one year. Ficifalia leaves (second name) visually resemble fig leaves. Figolifolia pumpkin has special large black seeds. The flowering is bright, the shape of the fruit is oval. The fig pumpkin itself is tasty and long-lasting. The stems resemble braided ropes - hard and long (up to 25 meters). Only figleaf pumpkin has white or green fruits and characteristic long shoots.
Pumpkin "Figoleaf"
Pineapple pumpkin - has similar flowering and fruits to the Matilda pumpkin variety. The plant is fruitful; the vines of one planting can bear 5-7 fruits. The vitamin structure is very unique and includes up to 7 types of vitamins from different groups. The rind is smooth to the touch, and the pumpkin weighs up to 4 kilograms.
Pumpkin "Pineapple"
Volga gray pumpkin - during storage of this variety, certain chemical processes occur inside the fruit, as a result of which starch is converted into sugar. As a result, the fruits are sweet and soft. Used for making homemade desserts or as a filling for baked goods. The color is directly related to the name; shades of green are possible. The weight of one fruit is 6-9 kilograms. The crust has a smooth surface and various segments. It is recommended to plant the plant at a ground temperature of about 13 degrees, and collect it at the end of summer. The presented variety is characterized by high productivity.
Pumpkin "Volga gray"
Medicinal pumpkin is a variety valued for its taste and, according to many people, has medicinal properties. Grown in mild and warm climates (but resistant to cold). It is often used in preparing diets for people with gastrointestinal problems. It can act as a cosmetic product, as a component for masks, shampoos and more.
Pumpkin “Medicinal”
Sweet winter pumpkin – recommended for squeezing juice. The lashes of the plant are of medium length, and everything can reach 8 kilograms. The color of the fruit is gray, and the pulp is yellow or orange. It blooms closer to autumn, storage does not cause problems.
Pumpkin "Winter sweet"
Guitar pumpkin is a type of butternut squash that grows up to 1 meter in size. The pulp has a rich taste. The name guitar is associated with the shape of a pumpkin, which is very reminiscent of a musical instrument. Summer residents appreciate the guitar variety for its long shelf life.
Pumpkin "guitar"
Volzhskaya gray pumpkin
Among the large-fruited varieties, the Volzhskaya gray pumpkin stands out for its light gray shade of skin and relatively small fruits, weighing only up to 9 kg.
The harvest from powerful vines is harvested 110–125 days after sowing. Just 2 bushes of such a pumpkin will not require much space in the beds, but the harvest will please you. Pumpkins have a flattened shape with barely noticeable segments. The bark is elastic, not thick, the pulp is extremely rich in carotene, sugars and other useful substances. The consistency is medium-dense, the pulp is very tasty and has a yellowish-cream or orange color. The variety is suitable for all types of heat treatment, drying and drying, as well as fresh consumption in juices, purees and salads.
Use in cooking
The sweetest varieties are divided into two types. The first ones are allowed for consumption only in cooked form, while the others can be eaten raw due to the high sucrose content and the volume of juice in the pulp. The choice of option depends only on the taste preferences of the cook and household members. For example, it is better for children to serve these varieties baked or along with steamed porridge.
Girls who decide to lose a few kilograms or stick to a healthy diet can use pumpkin pulp as the main ingredient for preparing various dishes: fresh fruit or vegetable salads, baked goods made from puff pastry or yeast dough, steamed meat and vegetables, soups and even filling for pancakes.
Thanks to the content of provitamin A, which does not lose its properties after heat treatment, even a small piece of vegetable can replenish the daily norm of the necessary value for the full functioning of the body. And by combining carotene with fat and lactose contained in dairy products, the body will not only better absorb the amount it needs, but will also demonstrate its benefits to overall well-being.
The best and most popular pumpkin dishes remain the following dishes, regardless of the variety chosen:
- millet porridge with the addition of pumpkin pulp;
- preparations for the winter: jams, preserves, compotes, candied fruits and frozen fresh products;
- filling for baking: cakes, pie, pies and cheesecakes;
- baked or steamed with honey or powdered sugar;
- puree for baby and diet food.
An equally healthy and popular dish, or, more correctly, a drink, is delicious canned or freshly squeezed juice from sweet varieties of pumpkin. It is consumed both in pure and diluted form with water, using a simple proportion - 1 to 1.
Hokkaido pumpkin
Among the gourmet varieties popular today, Hokkaido pumpkin stands out for its early ripening and excellent taste. The pulp of pumpkin, convenient for culinary use, has a sweet taste, somewhat reminiscent of chestnuts or sweet potatoes. The average weight of a pear-shaped, round or flattened pumpkin is 0.7–2.5 kg. To get a good harvest, it is necessary to provide regular watering.
The orange pulp of Hokkaido pumpkin, beneficial for human health, contains many vitamins, minerals and acids. The bark can be all shades from yellow-orange to red. But besides the most popular red varieties, there are fruits with green, grayish and almost white skin.
Both red and green pumpkin, as in the photo, are suitable for preparing dietary soups with a creamy consistency, purees, casseroles, juice and other healthy dishes. You can make jams, preserves and candied fruits from the pulp.
Like the Japanese Hokkaido pumpkin, many varieties of butternut squash are called “squash” in foreign sources, involuntarily comparing these species with squash and squash, summer members of the family.
It is the squash pumpkin with oily, tender pulp and a pleasant nutmeg smell that is considered the most valuable and healthy all over the world. All varieties of butternut squash are rich in carotene and sugars; the fruits store well, but require a lot of heat when growing.
Landing Features
Pineapple pumpkin is one of the plants that is easy to cultivate. To plant this vegetable, you can use seeds and seedlings. The material should be purchased at a specialized store. Seeds must be disinfected with formaldehyde before planting.
The last ingredient in an amount of 3 g is dissolved in 300 g of warm liquid. After processing, the planting material is dried. This method is characterized by accessibility and safety. It doesn't take much time. To check the germination of seeds, they are germinated. The liquid temperature should not exceed +55 °C.
It is recommended to plant pumpkin after potatoes and legumes.
This helps prevent the risk of disease. Having dug up the ground, it is spilled with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and fertilized with a composition that contains shavings and humus.
The mixture is designed to strengthen the immune system and accelerate growth. It should be noted that due to the powerful root system, the plant needs free space. If more than one bush is planted per 1 m2, the yield will decrease.
Pineapple pumpkin should not be planted near squash and zucchini. This culture loves light and space, but does not tolerate drafts.
Seedlings are placed in the soil only after it has been prepared. A mixture prepared from river sand, peat and humus is added to it. Disinfection of the soil composition is a mandatory step. Plants can be grown in cardboard boxes, flower pots and special boxes.
The container must be dry. Watering is carried out once a week. The first feeding is carried out 14 days after planting. It is done on a warm, windless day in the early hours.
Butternut squash Pearl
Butternut pumpkins of this variety ripen in 120–130 days. The average weight of cylindrical or oval fruits formed on powerful plants reaches 3–6 kg. Pumpkins are covered with a thin orange bark, under which lies a thick, sweet, dark orange pulp containing a lot of sugar and carotene, which is beneficial for humans.
The variety shows high stable yield and good taste. Butternut squash, as in the photo, can withstand drought, but requires heat, can be used in dietary and baby food, delicious healthy juice is obtained from the fruit and low-calorie delicacies are prepared.
Description of pineapple melon
Pineapple melon is a high-yielding mid-season variety. Heat-loving culture, very demanding of light. The period from germination to full ripening is 80-100 days.
Main characteristics of pineapple melon:
- fruit color – yellow-golden;
- the peel is dense, but not thick, with a slight mesh pattern;
- the pulp is tender, juicy, slightly oily, light cream in color;
- shape – round, slightly oblong;
- fruit weight – 1-3 kg;
- bright pineapple aroma.
Pineapple melon is easily transported, even over quite long distances, and is stored well. The shelf life of harvested fruits is 1.5-2 months, without any chemical treatment. The variety is perfectly adapted to any weather conditions, in particular, it easily tolerates temporary drops in temperature.
Pineapple melon is consumed both fresh and processed. Preserves, jams, jams, candied fruits, marmalade, juices and compotes are prepared from ripe fruits. Used for a variety of baked goods. You can also freeze it for future use so you can enjoy delicious fruit all year round.
The large amount of vitamins in pineapple melon makes it very healthy. It is recommended to include it in the menu for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. It is also useful to consume this fruit for anemia, anemia, gout, and tuberculosis.
Advice! People who are watching their figure should also pay attention to pineapple melon. Due to the large amount of fiber in fruits, it is an excellent addition to the diet.
Pumpkin Matilda
Butternut pumpkins, as in the photo, are oblong in shape with a thick layer of sweet, tender pulp and are called butternut pumpkins. Indeed, pumpkin has a pleasant buttery-nutty flavor, which manifests itself especially well when boiled, baked or fried.
Slightly ribbed, elongated fruits can weigh from 3 to 5 kg, with most of the inside occupied by the pulp, and the seeds are given only a little space in the thickened part of the Matilda pumpkin. The pulp is orange, with a sweet honey taste and aroma.
Beneficial properties for the body and possible harm
Melon has a number of useful properties:
- strengthens the nervous system;
- activates the immune system;
- helps to fall asleep with insomnia;
- improves the condition of nails, hair and skin;
- increases hemoglobin levels and stimulates hematopoiesis;
- promotes weight loss;
- cleanses the body of waste, toxins and bad cholesterol;
- has a diuretic effect;
- restores intestinal microflora.
If you consume melon with alcohol, dairy products or on an empty stomach, it will lead to problems with the digestive system.
Contraindications:
- stomach and intestinal ulcers;
- diabetes;
- breastfeeding period;
- gastritis;
- infectious processes in the gastrointestinal tract.
Pumpkin Pineapple F1
Externally, the fruits of this mid-season hybrid are similar to Matilda pumpkins, with the exception of a completely smooth cream-colored bark. Up to 6 pumpkins with excellent marketability and taste can ripen on the vines at the same time. Pear-shaped, weighing from 1.5 to 3 kg, nutmeg pumpkins, as in the photo, have a thin but dense peel and sweet yellow-orange pulp, with a nutmeg aroma that intensifies as it ripens.
Fruits can contain up to 10% sugar, a lot of carotene and other useful elements. This makes dishes and juices made from fruits dietary and even medicinal. The crop adapts perfectly to growing conditions, is not damaged by diseases and easily tolerates storage.
Mr. Summer Resident: tips for collecting and using pineapple pumpkin
To get a bountiful harvest, you must follow the following rules:
- It is strictly forbidden to sow old seeds.
- Small ovaries should not be watered. This can lead to excessive elongation of leaves and vines.
- To normalize the acidity of the soil, you need to spread straw on the site.
- There is no need to remove weeds.
- The plant should not be watered with cold water.
- If the vegetables are impressively heavy, support structures are made from available materials.
- Using a drip system makes it easier to control fluid flow.
Pineapple pumpkin is chosen due to its high resistance to fungal pathologies, unpretentiousness, and attractive appearance. This hybrid is included in the list of the most successful.
The disadvantages of this culture include the difficulty of caring for the vines and the need for plant formation. According to experts, with proper care, the yield will exceed all expectations. The time and effort spent will quickly pay off.
Pumpkin Gorlanka
It is to this type of pumpkin that people owe the very first utensils. The gourd pumpkin or Lagenaria vulgaris was well known to ancient civilizations, including the populations of Ancient Egypt, China and India.
The fruits, inedible with a thin layer of pulp, were used to make beautiful bowls and bottles called calabashes. But besides its utilitarian use, Gorlyanka became one of the first decorative pumpkins, as in the photo, where not only this variety is presented, but also other amazing fruits with growths, variegated stripes and spots, in the shape of pears and Turkish hats.
And the gourd pumpkin itself can be almost spherical or elongated, like a giant cucumber, look like a pear or like a bizarrely curved mace.
The elongated fruits of the green pumpkin, as in the photo, are suitable for eating. They are low in calories, rich in moisture and fiber. As it ripens, the bark becomes coarser and the flesh becomes thinner until it disappears completely. But the gardener finds himself using a strong vessel made of completely natural material.
