Baby food combinations with butternut squash

Butternut Squash Puree - Eating Bird Food

Make butternut squash puree at home with this simple recipe! Just scoop the seeds, roast, blend and use in recipes that call for butternut squash puree. It’s also a great first food for babies!

I’m back with another puree recipe! It’s amazing how simple and versatile purees are. I’ve been having fun making them and then adding them to a wide variety of recipes. Before you think this is just baby food… think again! You can mix this puree into pasta, pancakes, oatmeal and more.

Butternut Squash Nutrients

Butternut squash is a delicious vegetable (that’s technically a fruit but we won’t get into that!) that works well in both sweet and savory recipes! It’s packed with fiber, vitamins and minerals while also being low in calories. Butternut squash has been linked to decreased disease risk and weight loss. (Source)

Buying and Storing Butternut Squash

You can usually find butternut squash year round but it’s in season in the fall and winter months. Look for a squash that is heavy for its size, has smooth, firm skin without many cuts or bruising. The bigger the base of the squash, the more seeds there will be. Store the whole butternut squash in a cool, dark spot – no need to refrigerate!

How to Cook Butternut Squash for Puree

There are a few different ways to cook butternut squash when making purees. I usually steam it because it’s one of the faster methods, but baking is also relatively easy and hands-off, it just takes a bit longer!

Bake – Slice the butternut squash in half, lengthwise and remove all of the seeds with a spoon. Place the squash on a baking sheet, cut side down. I like to line the baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy clean up. Roast at 400ºF for 30-40 minutes or until the skin is a bit wrinkled and you can easily insert a fork without much resistance.

Steam – You can also steam your squash! Start by peeling the squash with a vegetable peeler or knife. After peeling, cut the top and bottom of the squash and then cut the squash in half widthwise and lengthwise so the squash is quartered. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon and then chop into cubes. Add about 1 inch of water to a large pot and bring to a boil. Place the squash cubes in a steamer basket or metal colander and place in the pot. Cover and steam for about 10 minutes or until the squash is soft.

Microwave – Yes, you can microwave butternut squash! Cut the squash in half and remove any seeds with a spoon. Place the squash cut side up on a microwave safe plate. Microwave on high for 8-10 minutes or until you can easily insert a fork without much resistance.

Instant Pot – Another super quick way to cook squash. Cut the squash in half (lengthwise) and remove any seeds. Place the wire trivet inside the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water. Arrange the squash halves in a single layer in the Instant Pot (you may need to do this in batches). Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes and then allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure.

How to Blend Butternut Squash to a Puree

Allow the squash to cool until you can hold it without burning yourself. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh of the squash and discard the skin.

When it comes to pureeing the butternut squash, I usually use my food processor or Vitamix blender, but you can also use an immersion blender, potato masher or even a fork.

Food processor – Add the cooked squash to your food processor and blend until smooth.

Blender – Add the cooked squash to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.

Immersion blender – Add the cooked squash to a large bowl or pot and use an immersion blender to blend until smooth.

Masher – Add the cooked squash to a large bowl or pot and use a potato masher (or fork) to mash the butternut squash. This will result in a chunkier puree and is a great option if you want a little texture. It also works for serving older babies.

How to Use Butternut Squash Puree

Plain butternut squash puree is a great first food for babies. For more advanced eaters you can combine the squash puree with another puree or even add it to yogurt or oatmeal. Check out more combo ideas for baby below!
Enjoy as a side – I would mix in some butter or olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh herbs. Rosemary or sage would be delicious!
Sneak in some extra veggies and mix into mac and cheese.
Add it to creamy hummus for extra flavor and nutrients… plus it will make it a beautiful orange color!
Mix it into pancakes or waffles – follow this recipe for butternut squash pancakes!
Add it to oatmeal for added flavor, color and nutrients! You could also swap the sweet potato in this sweet potato baked oatmeal for butternut squash!
Use in quick breads or muffins in place of applesauce or pumpkin puree. This helps keep the oil/fat content down while still making a perfectly light and fluffy baked good.
Swap the sweet potato for butternut squash puree in these sweet potato brownies or sweet potato breakfast cookies.
Add it to a smoothie for some added fiber and flavor. I think it would be delicious in place of the pumpkin puree in this pumpkin pie smoothie!
Mix into pasta sauce – I think it would be delicious in my vegan bolognese or cauliflower alfredo sauce.

tip! If you're serving this puree to a baby, you can thin it out a little by adding a splash of milk (regular or breast milk works great!)

Butternut Squash Baby Food

When you start solids with your baby, butternut squash puree is an awesome first food. You can mix it with breast milk to thin it out if needed.

It’s obviously delicious on its own, but can be combined with a variety of other foods for stage 2 eaters and beyond.

Foods That Will Pair Well with Butternut Squash Puree

Any of these foods can be blended with butternut squash to make unique flavor combos!

Green veggies – kale, spinach, avocado, peas
Orange veggies – pumpkin, sweet potato, carrot
White veggies – cauliflower
Fruits – mango, pear, banana, apples
Dairy – yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese
Grains – quinoa, oats, brown rice
Meat – chicken, beef
Seasonings and spices – curry, nutmeg, cinnamon

Butternut Squash Baby Food Combos Ideas

Butternut squash + apple or pear
Sweet potato + butternut squash
Black bean + butternut squash
Apple + butternut squash + carrot

How to Store Butternut Squash Baby Food

Fresh butternut squash baby food should be stored in the fridge and used within 3 days. For longer storage, I recommend freezing the squash puree! I like using silicone ice cube trays and these 4 oz glass storage containers. The ice cube trays are great for younger babies who aren’t eating as much volume because you can defrost one cube at a time. While the 4 oz jars are great for older babies who are eating more than 1 oz at a time.

How to Thaw Frozen Butternut Squash Puree

I recommend thawing frozen squash puree in the fridge the night before you want to use it, but you can also thaw it the day of with a warm water bath. It thaws quickly if you’re defrosting a small amount to serve to a baby.

More Purees to Try

Sweet Potato Puree
Peach Puree
Pumpkin Puree
Carrot Puree
Banana Puree
Applesauce
Strawberry Chia Jam
6 Baby Food Combinations (Stage 2)

Butternut Squash Puree

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Make butternut squash puree at home with this simple recipe! Just scoop the seeds, roast, blend and use in recipes that call for butternut squash puree. It's also a great first food for babies!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Servings 3 cups

1 medium-large butternut squash

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Slice the butternut squash in half, lengthwise and remove all the seed with a spoon.
Place the squash halves on a baking sheet, cut side down. You can line the sheet with parchment for easy clean up. Roast for about 30-40 minutes or until the squash halves are a bit wrinkled and fork tender.
Remove from oven and let cool. Once cool enough to handle, use a spoon to scoop the flesh out of the butternut squash and discard the skin.
Add butternut squash flesh to a food processor and blend until smooth.
Use in recipes that call for butternut squash puree, serve as baby food or add seasonings to make a delicious side dish.

food processor

Serving: 1cup Calories: 80kcal Carbohydrates: 22g Protein: 2g Sodium: 8mg Potassium: 580mg Fiber: 7g Sugar: 8g

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Best Baby Food Combinations (50 Easy Recipe Ideas + Tips)

Learn this simple approach to making baby food combinations with this master list of ideas. With this post, you’ll always have ideas for easy baby meals that both taste great and are realistic for you to execute…even with a busy schedule!

Baby Food Combinations

Moving from single ingredient baby foods to combinations in stage 2 baby food is such a fun stage of feeding babies because things can get so much more flavorful and interesting! And it means that you can batch cook basic purees and then combine them in so many delicious ways to keep things interesting and nutrition varied.

And while I am not opposed to sometimes buying baby food, each of these ideas is super easy—even if you are very busy. I love to have a stash of these in the freezer to use for quick meals in a pinch. (And to be honest, we still use them in the toddler years as easy ways to offer up veggies!)

TIP: Scroll to the recipe at the end of the post for all of the details, and read through the post for answers to common questions and basics about making baby food combos.

Ingredients in Baby Food Combinations

To make the baby foods in this post, you’ll need basic ingredients (that will obviously vary according to which specific puree you choose). The base purees are made with:

Apples
Bananas
Blueberries
Butternut Squash
Carrots
Mango
Pear
Peas
Spinach
Sweet Potatoes

TIP: Then, to mix things into combinations, you can add in peanut butter, plain whole milk yogurt, Baby Oatmeal, Baby Rice Cereal, and other purees including those made with beans, chicken, pineapple, avocado, peach, and more.

How to Make Stage 2 Baby Food Combinations Step-by-Step

Here’s a look at the simple process involved in making this sort of stage 2 baby food. Scroll down to the bottom of the recipe for the full information.

Make your base purees.
Store or freeze until ready to combine.
Stir together the purees, adding any optional spices or ingredients, until uniform.
Serve with a spoon or in a reusable pouch.

TIP: I like to make the single ingredient purees and freeze them, then mix and match frozen cubes of purees into yummy combinations. This ensures that you have flexibility to adjust if baby doesn’t love one combination and that you can change up the flavors you’re offering regularly.

How do you combine baby food?

With the way I do it, you simply make two purees (or one puree if you plan to combine it with something like yogurt or oatmeal) and mix them together. You can really do any combinations that sound good to you. I have 10 base purees and 5 easy combination ideas for you to get started, but then you can totally run with it!

Best Baby Food Containers

For storing baby food, I like these Wean Green Storage Cubes (they are glass and are insanely durable—I’ve been using the same set for 8 years), these Beaba Clip Containers, and these Wee Sprout Containers. My go-to reusable pouches include this silicone one from Squeasy Gear and these Wee Sprouts BPA-free plastic ones. (I prefer the 3 ounce size for babies in both pouch options.)

Apple Baby Food Ideas

Once you make basic Apple Puree, you can combine it with so many yummy flavors!

+ plain whole milk yogurt = Apple Yogurt
+ Baby Oatmeal = Apple Oatmeal
+ Spinach Puree = Apple Spinach Baby Food
+ Carrot Puree = Apple Carrot Baby Food
+ Butternut Squash Puree = Apple Squash Baby food

Banana Baby Food Ideas

Try these easy combinations that start with Banana Puree.

+ Peanut Butter Puree = Banana Peanut Butter Baby Food
+ plain whole milk yogurt = Banana Yogurt
+ Baby Oatmeal + Banana Oatmeal
+ Bean Puree = Banana Bean Puree
+ Avocado Puree + Banana Avocado Puree

Baby Food Combinations with Blueberries

Start with Blueberry Puree, then transform it into these fun flavors.

+ plain whole milk yogurt = Blueberry yogurt
+ Baby Oatmeal = Blueberry Oatmeal
+ Banana Puree = Blueberry Banana Puree
+ Mango Puree = Blueberry Mango Puree
+ Peach Puree = Blueberry Peach Puree

Baby Food Combinations with Butternut Squash

Smooth Butternut Squash Puree is a great base as it’s rich in nutrients and has a naturally mild flavor. (Any of these would be great with a tiny pinch of cinnamon.)

+ Pear Puree = Squash Pear Puree
+ Bean Puree = Squash Bean Puree
+ Banana Puree = Squash Banana Puree
+ Applesauce = Squash Apple Puree
+ plain whole milk yogurt = Squash Yogurt

Baby Food Combinations with Carrots

Start with Carrot Puree, then add in new flavors!

+ Apple Puree + Sweet Potato Puree = Carrot Apple Sweet Potato Puree
+ Pear Puree + Sweet Potato Puree = Carrot Pear Sweet Potato Puree
+ Banana Puree = Carrot Banana Baby Food
+ Quinoa Baby Food = Carrot Quinoa Baby Food
+ Bean Puree = Carrot Bean Puree

Baby Food Combinations with Mango

Mango Puree is a cinch to make and is so intensely flavorful—which makes it play really well with other purees!

+ plain whole milk yogurt = Mango Yogurt
+ Baby Oatmeal = Mango Oatmeal
+ Banana Puree = Mango Banana Puree
+ Avocado Puree = Mango Avocado Puree
+ Peach Puree = Mango Peach Puree

Pear Baby Food Combinations

Ripe pears make delicious Pear Baby Food that freezes and combines well.

+ Avocado Puree = Pear Avocado Puree
+ Baby Oatmeal + Cinnamon = Pear Cinnamon Oatmeal
+ Banana Puree = Pear Banana Puree
+ Pea Puree = Pear Pee Puree
+ Carrot Puree = Pear Carrot Puree

Baby Food Combinations with Peas

Keep a bag of frozen peas in the freezer and homemade Pea Puree is just minutes away. Then try:

+ Apple Puree = Pea Apple Puree
+ Pear Puree = Pea Pear Puree
+ Mango Puree = Pea Mango Puree
+ Banana Puree = Pea Banana Baby Food
+ Pineapple Puree = Pea Pineapple Puree

Baby Food Combinations with Spinach

My Spinach Baby food already has peas in it (to ensure it’s smooth and mellow in flavor). You can also combine it with:

+ Apple Puree = Spinach Apple Puree
+ Pear Puree = Spinach Pear Puree
+ plain whole milk yogurt = Savory Spinach Yogurt
+ Quinoa Baby Food and pinch Parmesan cheese = Spinach Parmesan Quinoa
+ Bean Puree = Spinach Bean Puree

Sweet Potato Baby Food Ideas

Start with a batch of Sweet Potato Baby Food and then try these yummy options:

+ Chicken Puree = Sweet Potato Chicken Baby Food
+ Bean Puree = Sweet Potato Bean Puree
+ Applesauce = Sweet Potato Applesauce
+ Carrot Puree + Cinnamon = Cinnamon Sweet Potato Carrot Puree
+ Bean Puree + Cumin = Mexican Sweet Potato Bean Puree

How to Store Baby Food—and Send it to Daycare

I prefer to freeze batches of baby food in a silicone ice cube tray overnight, transfer it to a zip top freezer bag, then store it until I’m ready to serve or combine it. You can then mix and match from the single ingredient purees you have in the freezer by adding a cube or two of two purees to a container. If you do that the night before you plan to serve the food, it will thaw and be ready to stir together.

This makes it easy to batch cook and have a lot of option to feed baby at home or at daycare.

Tips for Making the Best Baby Food Combinations (Stage 2 & Stage 3)

These Stage 2 baby foods are great to introduce after baby has started solids with single ingredient baby foods.
For a 6 month old baby, 1-2 tablespoons baby food may be plenty for a single serving. For a 9 month old baby, they might want ¼ cup or more.
Adjust the servings based on your child’s hunger, using a roughly one to one ratio of the purees in each combination.
Read more about the differences in Baby Food Stages here.
Find my best tips for Baby Food Storage here.
Add in a little mashed avocado, coconut oil, or Prune Puree to help with baby constipation.
Serve with a spoon or in a reusable pouch.

I’d love to hear your feedback on these ideas, so please comment and rate the recipe ideas below! I appreciate all of your comments so much.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Author Amy Palanjian

Cuisine American

Course Baby Food

Calories 5kcal

Servings 6

1-2 tablespoons Butternut Squash Puree and with one of the following

▢ 1-2 tablespoons Pear Puree
▢ 1-2 tablespoons Bean Puree
▢ 1-2 tablespoons Banana Puree
▢ 1-2 tablespoons Applesauce
▢ 1-2 tablespoons plain whole milk yogurt

1-2 tablespoons Spinach Puree and one of the following:

▢ 1-2 tablespoons Apple Puree
▢ 1-2 tablespoons Pear Puree
▢ 1-2 tablespoons plain whole milk yogurt
▢ 1-2 tablespoons Quinoa Baby Food and pinch Parmesan cheese
▢ 1-2 tablespoons Bean Puree

1-2 tablespoons Sweet Potato Puree and one of the following:

▢ 1-2 tablespoons Chicken Puree
▢ 1-2 tablespoons Bean Puree
▢ 1-2 tablespoons Applesauce
▢ 1-2 tablespoons Carrot Puree and pinch cinnamon
▢ 1-2 tablespoons Bean Puree and pinch cumin

Prepare each puree. Freeze in a silicone ice cube tray, transferring the cubes to a freezer bag once solid, or store in the refrigerator as needed.
Place roughly equal amounts of the two (or more) purees you plan to combine into a bowl. Stir together. (If the purees are frozen, place a cube or two of each into a bowl or storage container. the night before you plan to serve and let thaw overnight in the fridge before stirring together. Or thaw at room temperature for about 2 hours.)
Serve or store for later.

Mixing Bowl
Reusable Pouch
Silicone Ice Cube Tray

Taste the purees and add more of a sweeter one if needed.
Add small pinches of spices like cinnamon, ground ginger, and cumin to add flavor.
Add small pinches of ground flaxseed to add healthy fats.
Serve with a baby spoon or in a reusable pouch.
Pack for daycare if needed in small airtight containers.
Serve cold or warm just slightly.
If. baby has a dairy intolerance, use a nondairy, unsweetened nondairy yogurt.
If baby has a nut allergy, use a nut-free alternative that's unsweetened such as Sunbutter.

Calories: 5kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 2mg, Potassium: 11mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 30IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 5mg, Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on IG!

Lure pumpkin - Encyclopedia Baby food

Levchuk Victoria ©

Pumpkin is almost not present in the diet of modern man. Today, pumpkins are associated with Cinderella or Halloween, although some people think of pumpkin pie or pumpkin rice porridge. Pumpkin is a food that can be cooked and consumed in many different ways. Pumpkin is a bright and sweet baby food that allows you to introduce colors and diversify the texture and taste of the child. It has various benefits for improving overall health, and therefore, this vegetable should not be excluded from the baby's diet. nine0005

Cooking is healthy!

Quinoa and pumpkin porridge;

Pumpkin-apple juice;

Pumpkin puree soup.

below is a list of all the recipes on the Encyclopedia Baby Food website or go to the Recipes section.

Easy to use sitemap Encyclopedia Baby Food with a list of all articles and recipes.

Types of pumpkin

Table of contents:

In our country, orange pumpkin is mainly consumed, but depending on different types, it can be of various colors, shapes and sizes, such as orange, yellow, white, green and others, spherical , cylindrical or pear-shaped, sizes from smallest to giant. The most common Russian species are nutmeg, large-fruited, hard-skinned pumpkins. It is best to use the nutmeg type for baby feeding with pumpkin, as it is considered the most delicious and vitamin variety. nine0005

Pumpkin season

Pumpkin is considered an autumn vegetable for a reason. Pumpkin season is from August to March, but the best time to use it in cooking is from October to November. It can be found on the market from August to March, but pumpkin has the best and richest taste in the middle of autumn.

The story of the pumpkin

The word " pumpkin" comes from the Greek " pepõn" which means " big melon". The word was gradually formed from the French - "Ponpon", from the English - "Pumpion", then renamed "pumpkin". nine0005

Pumpkin was one of the many foods used by Native American Indians and was an unexpected discovery for pilgrims. The Indians pounded gourd strips, dried them, made floor mats, and then sold them.

Although it is difficult to name only America as the birthplace of the pumpkin, some scientists name such countries as northern Africa, China and even India.

In Rus', this vegetable appeared at the end of the 16th century, and gained particular popularity among the peasants.

Pumpkin benefits

Experts put pumpkin on the same level as zucchini and broccoli in baby food and recognize it as an important product in a child's diet. Pumpkin has an intense color, indicating a high content of beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A. Pumpkin is also an excellent source of vitamins B1, B3, B5, B6, C. It is rich in magnesium, potassium and fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and complex carbohydrates such as starch. The main reason for introducing pumpkin into complementary foods is the presence in its composition of rare vitamins K and T, which are found only in this vegetable. nine0005

The vegetable stimulates the digestive system, and the fibrous structure of the pumpkin prevents constipation in the child.

Beneficial effect on bones and muscle structure, gastrointestinal tract and vision.

Prevents anemia, pumpkin contains more iron than apples.

Improves sleep.

Increases the body's resistance.

Strengthens the immune system.

Pumpkin contains potassium salts essential for excellent cardiac and vascular function. Pumpkin seeds are a natural source of phytosterols. Phytosterols can lower both total cholesterol and bad cholesterol (LDL) by inhibiting the absorption of dietary cholesterol. It is also a good source of zinc and polyunsaturated fatty acids. nine0005

Pumpkin is a rich source of fiber. Fiber quickly saturates the body, so the child can eat less and thus consume fewer calories.

B-carotene reduces sun damage to the skin and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. In addition, α-carotene slows down the aging process and delays the appearance of wrinkles on the skin.

Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of the amino acid tryptophan, which is important for the production of serotonin, a hormone responsible for improving mood. A handful of pumpkin seeds can help in a psychological uplift. nine0005

Pumpkin prevents and helps control diabetes. The ingredients in pumpkin and its seeds provide an excellent aid in blood glucose absorption and help balance liver glucose levels.

Introduction to pumpkin complementary foods

Pumpkin complementary foods should be started at approximately 6-7 months of age. The orange color of the product is a natural sign of the possibility of developing an allergy to the product in a child, so most pediatricians advise adding this vegetable to the child's diet later. To begin with, zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower are introduced into complementary foods, and only then pumpkin. The rule of waiting 4-7 days with this vegetable must be carefully observed, as this is the first colored product in the baby's complementary foods. It is better if pumpkin complementary foods are introduced closer to 7 months. However, it must be taken into account that the risk of developing an allergy to pumpkin is much lower than to carrots or citrus fruit. We just advise caution, but do not give up the vegetable, as the benefits are too attractive. nine0005

Pumpkin is a rich source of essential nutrients for baby's well-being, immune system strengthening, deworming, antioxidants and antimicrobial properties.

Pumpkin seeds can also be introduced into baby's complementary foods, as they are rarely allergic. They can be introduced to a child at 10 months in a form that eliminates the risk of suffocation (i.e., the shredded look). Whole seeds are given to children aged 1.5 to 2 years. At this age, the child has strong teeth to chew well, and he is already on the general adult diet. nine0005

Pumpkin should be introduced as a regular vegetable, i.e. gradually bring to the prescribed norm in grams, based on the age of the child, we look at the complementary feeding scheme. Further, pumpkin can be given, if every day, then no more than 30 grams, here this rule is the same as with carrots. If you plan to give pumpkin 1-2 times a week, then 100-150 grams at a time, again depending on the age of the child and the portion eaten.

Baby is allergic to pumpkin

Pumpkin is one of the vegetables that can cause an allergic reaction in a baby because it contains a lot of carotene and contains the unique f225 protein. An allergic reaction to pumpkin is standard in the form of a small rash on any part of the body, unpleasant itching, swelling of the nose and throat. It must be borne in mind that an allergy to pumpkin may not appear immediately, but within about a week, therefore it is so important to keep a child's food diary in order to track the reaction to the product during the time and exclude it from complementary foods. nine0005

How to give pumpkin

At the age of 6-7 months pumpkin should be introduced as a one-component puree. Pumpkin juice can be given to a child after 12 months, pumpkin seeds can be given from 10 months. It can be combined with other fruits, vegetables, meat as new foods are introduced into the child's diet.

There are countless ways to introduce your baby to pumpkin after weaning. As your baby gets older, you can make pumpkin soup or pumpkin chips (these are thin slices of pumpkin baked in the oven with olive oil, salt, pepper, and various spices such as small coriander or ginger). In addition, pumpkin can be used as the main ingredient in a pie, muffins, and you can also make a salad for a child. Finally, we can use it to create incredible homemade jams and sweets. nine0005

One of the easiest pumpkin ideas is to cut it into small pieces, sprinkle it with sugar and cinnamon and bake it in the oven or pot until tender. Accordingly, instead of sugar, you can pre-pour olive oil and season with salt, various spices, such as cumin and coriander, and you get a wonderful side dish for meat. You can cut the pumpkin into thin slices, fry and add to the salad. And you can also cook a wonderful pumpkin puree, which is suitable not only for meat, but also for fish or seafood. From pumpkin, Uzbek pilaf or fruit pilaf is surprisingly tasty. Pumpkin also goes well with potatoes. Meat in French, where there is no potato, but there is a pumpkin, it also turns out original and tasty. nine0005

How to choose a pumpkin for feeding

When buying a whole pumpkin, you need to pay attention to the absence of marks of blows, cuts and other damage, as well as signs of decay. It is believed that the brighter the color of the pumpkin, the sweeter it is. The stalk should be dry, a sign of a ripe pumpkin. When tapping a vegetable, a dull sound is heard. The peel of the pumpkin should be firm and not squeeze through. If you buy a part of a pumpkin, then you need to pay attention to the seeds, which must be hard and ripe, the presence of empty seeds indicates the immaturity of the vegetable. And the pumpkin itself or its cut should look juicy and “alive”, as if it had just been cut. nine0005

How to store a pumpkin

A whole pumpkin can be stored on the balcony at a temperature of 5 to 15 degrees. The main thing is that the place is dry, cool, dark, not wet, then the pumpkin can be stored for 4 to 6 months. The main thing is to check it periodically and in case of damage to the product, use it in cooking.

Pumpkin slices can be wrapped in cling film and refrigerated for up to one week. You can also store pumpkin in the freezer for up to 8-12 months when deep frozen. nine0005

Contraindications

A sweet, tasty, aromatic vegetable that many kids like, but don't overdo it. Pumpkin contains as much carotene as carrots. Excess carotene leads to allergic reactions. Pumpkin is dangerous for diabetics because it is rich in carbohydrates and sugars. It is also worth refraining from eating pumpkin for people suffering from stomach and duodenal ulcers.

Raw pumpkin is not recommended unless the place and method of its growth is known. Excessive consumption of this vegetable will please the yellow color of the child's skin. nine0005

How to cook pumpkin?

Traditionally, the child is offered one-component pumpkin puree. You can prepare it from fresh or frozen product. Everything depends on the season. You can cook pumpkin for feeding in a slow cooker, a double boiler, in an ordinary saucepan on fire, in an oven, in a microwave.

Remember that pumpkin tends to lose its nutritional value when cooked for a long time. Baking pumpkins for weaning will ensure that most of the nutrients are retained for the baby. nine0005

The pumpkin should be cooked immediately after it has been cut. After cooking, pumpkin puree should be used or immediately refrigerated.

cooking method pumpkin

If pumpkin is used for baking, it should be taken into account that the product is watery, if left in the air for a long time, especially with sugar, such a dish will be baked for a long time or not baked at all. Therefore, when I cook pumpkin muffins, I put the crushed pumpkin in the finished dough so that I can put everything in the oven in 10 minutes. And most importantly, put the baking powder at the very end a couple of minutes before baking. nine0005

Pumpkin juice

Pumpkin juice can be given to a child after 12 months. However, the juice must be prepared, i.e. boil. You can take pumpkin puree and dilute it with boiled water, you get a wonderful juice with pulp. Raw pumpkin juice should not be given to a baby under 3 years of age. After introducing citrus fruits into the baby's diet, you can add lemon or orange juice to pumpkin juice for a richer taste. You can combine pumpkin juice with other fruit juices, namely apple, pear, peach, etc. nine0005

Complementary foods raw pumpkin

The raw unprocessed product contains much more useful vitamins and elements, but it is much more difficult for a baby to chew and then digest the rather rough texture of raw pumpkin, so you should refrain from eating it until the age of 3. After 3 years, offer the baby raw pumpkin, grated or as part of fresh fruit salads.

Pumpkin in baby food.

Freezing pumpkin

Lure pumpkin can be frozen. Usually a whole pumpkin is perfectly stored for a long time, but if it is cut into pieces, then it will last no more than 7 days in the refrigerator. Therefore, the pumpkin must be washed, cut into small pieces, dried, folded into bags and put in the freezer for a quick freeze. nine0005

Pumpkin freezes perfectly. The finished pumpkin will turn into a brownish orange, so don't worry about that.

When freezing, leave some headroom on the top of the container or freeze it in a bag as pumpkin may expand when frozen.

Pumpkin may separate when thawed due to air bubbles, so pumpkin pieces are usually only used for making porridge or pumpkin puree. This will not affect the quality or taste of the pumpkin. nine0005

Pumpkin puree can be frozen in containers, ice cube trays or ziplock bags.

Frozen pumpkin slices can be stored in the freezer for 8 to 12 months, pumpkin puree can be stored for no more than 3 months.

Pumpkin Preservation

Pumpkin is rarely sealed in jars for long-term storage, as the product itself will lie perfectly all winter on the balcony. But sometimes you can cook wonderful dishes for even longer storage, especially for children. nine0005

Pumpkin is used to make excellent pumpkin juice for feeding, which is rolled up in jars and stored for more than a year. So in the summer you can please your baby with pumpkin juice. The juice is thick, with pulp, saturated, it can be diluted with boiled water. If you take sweet varieties of pumpkin, then you can close the pumpkin juice without sugar.

Delicious pumpkin jam with the addition of a couple of oranges, delicate jam with orange flavor, will please any child. Moreover, pumpkin is a cheaper product, as for me, because I get it for free, so pumpkin-orange jam is just licking your fingers. nine0005

Moscow, Russia

Today we will tell you how to make pumpkin puree for babies. The recipe is useful to all mothers of babies from four months.

By the fifth month of life, the child does not have enough nutrients from mother's milk, and vegetable and fruit purees begin to be introduced into baby food.

Pumpkin puree for babies is suitable for a baby's first introduction to vegetables. It is not only tasty, but also helps to adjust the work of digestion, gives the baby material for growth and proper development. Pumpkin helps to form bones and muscles, contributes to the health of the eyes, nerves, stomach, intestines, heart, prevents anemia, improves children's sleep, strengthens the immune system. nine0005

Pumpkin puree is added to children's diet after squash puree and cauliflower puree, which do not cause allergies. The baby should like the taste, color and aroma of pumpkin, because they are brighter than what he has already tried.

It is recommended to give pumpkin puree to a child at least three times a week (unless he has an allergy, which, to be fair, is very rare for pumpkin). At first, limit yourself to half a teaspoon, as the digestive system must get used to the new type of food. nine0005

Pumpkin puree can be combined with other vegetables or fruits: carrots, potatoes, apples, bananas, etc. Sugar can be added at your discretion, but pediatricians do not recommend doing this for at least a year. Better add sweet fruit. Pumpkin should be chosen young, weighing up to 3-5 kg. It is sweeter and juicier and easier to peel.

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100 g pumpkin

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Alexander - director of Cookpad @kislenko

October 04, 2016, 07:00