Pumpkin puree is an unusually tasty and healthy product. It is indispensable for baby food. In order for the puree to benefit the baby, it must not only be properly prepared, but also preserved.
Making pumpkin puree
Pumpkin is a product rich in vitamins, microelements and other valuable components. Pediatricians recommend to introduce pumpkin puree into the baby's menu as a dish for the first feeding.
The pumpkin is stored for a very long time. Under certain conditions, it can be stored in storage for up to 10 months. Some housewives prefer to cut the pumpkin into pieces and store it as such in the freezer. But it can be stored not only frozen, but also in the form of mashed potatoes.
To prepare pumpkin puree, peel the pumpkin, cut it into pieces or grate it, then dip the pieces in a small amount of boiling water and let them boil until tender. Typically, the cooking time is 10-20 minutes, depending on the pumpkin variety and the size of the pieces. After boiling, the mass must be wiped through a sieve or chopped with a blender.
How to preserve pumpkin puree
Making pumpkin puree is a time-consuming process. Most often, mothers prefer to cook it for future use, so that the product is enough for several feedings at once. To prevent the puree from spoiling, you must follow a number of rules.
It is important to keep your food perfectly clean. It is necessary to thoroughly wash the pumpkin itself, all containers and tools used, as well as hands. A high degree of microbial contamination of the product leads to its rapid deterioration.
If the hostess has prepared mashed potatoes for future use, it is better for her to immediately set aside the amount of product that she plans to feed the baby the next day or in the near future. The puree should be placed in clean food containers and placed in the refrigerator. The sooner it is sent for cold storage, the longer it will retain its properties.
Currently, there are special containers on sale that allow you to increase the shelf life of products. They are made of special materials. In any case, the shelf life of pumpkin puree in the refrigerator should not exceed 3-5 days.
If the hostess wants to store the puree for a longer time, she can make homemade preparations. To do this, after rubbing it through a sieve, it is necessary to decompose the hot mass into sterile small-volume jars and sterilize the product, and then close it with sterile lids. It will take 8-10 minutes to sterilize a half liter jar. A hermetically sealed sterilized product can be stored for a long time.
