The Hokkaido is popular for growing in private gardens, which is not only due to its decorative appearance. Delicious soups can be conjured up from the pumpkin fruit or other dishes can be enriched with fine pieces. But does the skin have to be removed first from this type of pumpkin?

A Hokkaiod squash does not need to be peeled

Hard pumpkin skins, soft flesh

Pumpkin fruits grow large and heavy and often lie on the bare earth for weeks before harvest. You therefore need a particularly firm and stable shell that protects the pulp and seeds from moisture and other harmful influences.

In order to get to the delicious pulp, pumpkins have to be cut open and the thick skin removed. This is not so easy, because many problems are lurking:

  • Pumpkin is hard to hold on to
  • the kitchen knife glides through the hard shell with difficulty
  • peeling with one hand is exhausting
  • there is a risk of injury

Are there any tips and tricks that make peeling easier? And does the Hokkaido have to be peeled off like the other pumpkin varieties?

The special thing about the Hokkaido bowl

When it comes to the ingredients alone, the skin of a Hokkaido is perfectly edible. But two questions remain:

  • Can the shell be mastered with our chewing organ?
  • Does the bowl taste good at all?

The good news: If the Hokkaido pumpkin is boiled or fried with the skin, not only is the flesh as soft as butter, but also the skin. It can be consumed with ease. When the squash is mashed, the skin mixes with the pulp.

Shell as a flavor enrichment

The skin of this type of pumpkin tastes a little more intense than the flesh and brings this spicy note to every dish. To do without it would also be disadvantageous in terms of taste. In addition, the ingredients of the shell are extremely healthy for us.

Make sure you look good

Since the Hokkaido pumpkin can be eaten with the skin, it is important to ensure that the skin is in perfect condition when purchasing the fruit. They should not show any rotten spots or damage.

The stick has to go

The woody stem end that is still attached to the Hokkaido squash is unfit for consumption and must be removed. Lay the squash on one side and cut off the stem. A knife with saw teeth works best for this, as it won't slip off the shell.

Thorough washing is enough

Like all other fruits, the Hokkaido pumpkin must be thoroughly cleaned before preparation. This applies to all pumpkins, regardless of whether they are organic pumpkins from your own garden or purchased specimens. The first step is always thorough washing, even if the pumpkin is then peeled.

  • use running, lukewarm water
  • Rub Hokkaido well
  • a vegetable brush is ideal

Small damaged areas can be generously cut out. However, if the squash is covered in a lot of rotten spots, it may not be usable anymore. Then it should be disposed of completely.

When the shell can go

With organic pumpkins, the skin can remain on, as there are no pesticide residues to be expected. Even fruits from conventional cultivation do not always have to contain chemicals, but many consumers still play it safe and remove the peel.

Along with butternut, Hokkaido is one of the two types of pumpkin that can be both tasty and eaten raw. Cut into pieces, it can enrich salads or be mixed into smoothies. It may be necessary to remove the shell beforehand.

This is how you get rid of the shell

If you have decided to remove the bowl, a few tips and tricks from everyday kitchen practice could help you. Below is the process in individual steps:

  1. Wash the Hokkaido thoroughly.
  2. Put the fruit on a large and thick wooden board.
  3. Cut a slice from the end of the pumpkin and then stand the fruit on the cut end so that it has a secure footing.
  4. Then cut the Hokkaido in half.
  5. Remove the pumpkin seeds with a spoon.
  6. Cut the squash halves into smaller, equally sized pieces that are easy to hold in your hand.
  7. Now peel off the peel with a sharp knife.

tips

The pumpkin seeds are a delicious snack that doesn't belong in the garbage can. After drying, the kernels can even be stored for a long time.

A second method

  1. Place the squash on a thick wooden board.
  2. Cut off a slice from the pumpkin head and pumpkin end and then place the fruit on one of the cut surfaces.
  3. Hold the fruit with one hand by placing it on the cut surface above and applying some pressure.
  4. Using a large knife, use the top of the skin and cut the skin in a downward sawing motion, always keeping the knife close to the squash shape.
  5. Repeat the process until the entire shell is removed.
  6. Lift the squash to see if there is any scraps of skin left. If so, remove those as well.

Conclusion for fast readers:

  • Peel: Hokkaido peel is edible, tasty, flavorful and healthy
  • Consistency: Becomes soft after boiling and frying; does not need to be peeled
  • Exceptions: If it's not Bioware; when used in the raw state
  • Clean: Lukewarm running water; scrub with vegetable brush
  • Peel: remove stalk; to halve; to core cut into small pieces; peel
  • Alternative: Remove the skin from the whole pumpkin fruit
  • Step 1: Put Hokkaido on wooden board; cut off both ends
  • Step 2: Put on interface; Put your hand on it and hold it
  • Step 3: Cut the shell piece by piece from top to bottom with a sawing motion
  • Tip: Guide the knife along the fruit so that little of the flesh is removed.

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

  • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Vegetable garden