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Food traditions:the metamorphoses of the pumpkin

Photo: www.juicingbook.com

© Photo: archive

The pumpkin has been nicknamed “the queen of autumn”. However it is a very much admired dessert in winter too. Since ancient times, the pumpkin has been the symbol of abundance, fertility, wellbeing and good health. As fresh fruit and vegetables start disappearing from the table with the arrival of winter, the pumpkin comes handy to replace them.
It is very rich in antioxidants and vitamins such as A, C, E and B, as well as in a range of minerals such as potassium, magnesium and iron. With all this in stock the delicious fruit can provide protection not only from viruses but also from some cancers. The pumpkin’s high fiber content boosts the work of the digestive system. It can also protect pancreas cells, and may even prevent some complications caused by type 1 diabetes. No wonder then that dietitians recommend a serving of 150 g of pumpkin daily during the winter. This fruit is so wonderful that it would even make your complexion a bit more tanned owning to the carotene it contains. With only few calories, the pumpkin is so nice to consume prepared in different ways – boiled, baked, added to a pie or soup, and all the time giving off its wonderful delicious smell. With all this in mind it is hardly surprising that this large fruit has served as inspiration for a few famous works in Bulgarian story-telling. Well, now it is time for some simple pumpkin recipes!

© Photo: archive


In the first place, here comes the tikvenik, or pumpkin pie, a leading winter dessert in Bulgaria. It is made from sheets of pastry and a stuffing of grated pumpkin, walnuts and vegetable oil. For best results you’d better make your own pastry. The stuffing is rolled into the sheets; the rolled sheets are arranged in a pan and the pie is baked in a moderate oven.

Now here is a vegan pumpkin recipe. The pumpkin is deseeded its halves are filled with thoroughly washed dried fruit and nuts. Either honey or quince jelly are added to the mix. Then the dessert is baked until the pumpkin becomes golden.

© Photo: archive


Some pumpkin soup will cleanse your system after too much eating during the holidays. To make it really nice you can use apart from boiled pumpkin, leeks in the first place, as well as courgettes, broccoli or potatoes. Everything is mashed together, and dill, dried coriander and tumeric are added. Or try with some curry to make it more exotic.

There is a lot more you can make from pumpkin. Go, experiment, as early as the first days of the New Year! And then, enjoy a healthy meal!

Translated by Daniela Konstantinova

По публикацията работи: Darina Grigorova


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