Pumpkin

Pumpkin

Pumpkins are not vegetables but fruit and are highly versatile as they can be used in savoury as well as sweet recipes. Pumpkins are low in calories and sodium and high in calcium and fiber. They are good sources of Vitamin A and C and  packed full of anti-oxidants including beta carotene and lutein. They also contain lots of potassium which helps combat high blood pressure.

 

Nutritional info:

100 grams raw pumpkin typically contains:
13 calories
0.2 grams fat
0.1 grams saturated fat
2.2 grams carbohydrate
1 gram fibre

80 grams of boiled pumpkin typically contains:
10 calories
0.5 grams protein
0.2 grams fat
0.1 gram saturated fat
1.7 grams carbohydrate
0.9 grams fibre  (source: www.thinkvegetables.co.uk)

PumpkinDid you know?  Pumpkins originated in North America and Mexico thousands of years ago. Christopher Columbus is credited for having introduced the pumpkin to Europe in the 15th century.   Pumpkins are well-known for their ability to grow to enormous sizes and may well have been the inspiration behind the most famous pumpkin ever – the one which stars as a coach in Cinderella!

For tips and advice on buying and cooking pumpkins click here.