You can store pumpkins well to make them last beyond the season. The fruit vegetables are ripe from late summer and accompany us through autumn and winter. We’ll give you a few tips on how to keep pumpkins fresh for as long as possible.
From the end of July the time has come: That’s when the first pumpkins will ripen. Pumpkin season peaks in September and October. The harvest goes on until the frost comes. After that, however, you don’t have to do without Hokkaido, butternut or nutmeg: Even in the winter months you can still prepare many delicious recipes from stored pumpkin, such as pumpkin curry, pasta with pumpkin, pumpkin lasagna or pumpkin risotto.
If you store pumpkins properly, they can last for weeks or even months. Exactly how long you can store pumpkins depends on the type of pumpkin and when it was harvested. Basically, pumpkins that are ripe and harvested in summer have a tender skin and spoil faster. Winter squashes, on the other hand, last longer, up to six months, thanks to their thick skin.
Storing summer squash: this is how it works
Summer squash include the patisson and the rondini. They are ripe from July and are harvested young, as that is when they are at their most aromatic. So that they don’t lose any of their taste, you should eat these pumpkins as soon as possible, because they cannot be stored for long.
The best way to store delicate squash varieties is in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator, where they will stay fresh for up to two weeks.
As an alternative, pumpkins can also be frozen like zucchini. If you store a squash like this, it will last up to four months in the freezer.
Storing winter squashes: Only store them when they are ripe
Winter squashes have a harder skin and are therefore more robust and can be stored longer. The exact shelf life varies depending on the variety. You can keep Hokkaido for up to six months, while Musk Squash, which includes butternut, can keep for up to a year. If you want to store winter squash for as long as possible, there are a few points you should consider:
The right harvest time
While summer squashes are harvested as young as possible, winter squashes are different. Before harvesting, the pumpkins should be fully ripe. This is because the squash may otherwise still contain moisture. If you store a damp squash, it’s more prone to mold growth.
You can recognize a ripe pumpkin by the woody stalk and the fact that the skin has hardened, which means it can no longer be scratched with a fingernail. You can also do the tapping test: if you tap the skin on ripe winter squash, you should be able to hear a hollow sound.
If you have harvested a pumpkin that is not yet ripe but you still want to store it for a long time, you can let it ripen. Place it in a dry, bright place with a temperature of at least 20 degrees Celsius. There it will continue to ripen within two to three weeks. After that you can store the pumpkin.
Storing winter pumpkins: where and how to do it correctly?
The right storage location
It is best to store ripe pumpkins in a dark, dry place. The temperatures there should be between 12 and 17 degrees Celsius. Make sure it doesn’t get too cold, otherwise bearing rot could occur. Cellars are therefore only suitable as storage space to a limited extent, as it is often too damp and cold there. You play it safe if you use a pantry to store pumpkins. Alternatively, you can just keep them on a shelf in a room that’s not too cold or too warm.
The correct storage method
Before you store the pumpkins, you should check them:
Do the pumpkins have dents or scratches? In that case, it’s better to use them up straight away, because scratches or dents often lead to mold growing in storage.
If the gourds are intact, you can trim the stalk to about an inch. You shouldn’t remove it entirely.
Also, don’t wash the squash before storing it.
If you want to store several pumpkins, it is better not to stack them on top of each other. Instead, line them up side by side. You can use newspaper or pieces of cardboard as a base. This will prevent bruises from forming on the pumpkins.
Tips:
Storing cut pumpkins: If you have already cut open a pumpkin but have not used it all, it is best to keep it in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. You can either wrap it in a beeswax wrap or put it in a storage box with a lid. There the pumpkin pieces stay fresh for up to four days.
Preserving pumpkins: If you have more pumpkins than space to store them, you can preserve the fruit vegetables in other ways. You can pickle the pumpkins or use them to make pumpkin chutney, pumpkin jam, or pumpkin puree. These specialties freeze well in jars. Pumpkin compote is also a delicious way to preserve.
