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Cornucopia - Australia

How do preserve the cut end of a Pumpkin.

20 years ago

Hi Everyone...I have been given this huge Grey Pumpkin, by one of our GW Members and it tastes so nice I want to keep it all for us if possible, too big for the fridge and if I cut it up into smaller pieces to fit in the ends will go mouldy in time.. I prefer to leave it out of the fridge and whole if possible, well two cut ends only.

One website recommends spraying the pumpkin with WD40 as in whole pumpkin, another smearing petroleum jelly on the cut ends I don't fancy any of those after all we want to eat it..So any ideas apart from Freezing no room there either, anyway I want to keep the pumpkin for Roasting. Any idea's from you clever members I would love to know.....Cheers..MM.

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Comments (6)

User
20 years ago
I just use cling film. (Glad wrap or such). If its dries a little it really doesn't matter if you are roasting it. If using for steaming or boiling, you can cut the smallest sliver off to reveal fresh pumpkin.

WD40!! What are they thinking? I'm with you, I wouldn't want to be eating it after that.

Cheers,
Dee.
Mabb
20 years ago
We were told yesterday to put wax on the end of the stem.. that's for a whole pumpkin. I would have thought that glad wrap would do it, just make sure it doesn't get hot.
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User
Original Author
20 years ago
That does not work either Dee...How did they do it in the old days before fridges were around.
Any plastic cling wrap makes the pumpkin go mouldy in time, Thanks anyway.
Looks like my lovely neighbour will be scoring half of it....Cheers..MM.
cosmicgardener
20 years ago
Try rubbing the cut part with lemon juice then a mixture of flour and salt then store in a cool dark place rather than the fridge so the air can circulate. You just need to sacrifice a narrow sliver next time you want ot use some. They also keep better if you can remove the seeds. Or make masses of pumpkin puree for soup and pies and store in the freezer! I've got a Hubbard squash or six coming on in the garden that look like they will peak around 10 kg. I think I may need a new freezer.
User
Original Author
20 years ago
Good on you Linda....I will give that a try next time now
As I shared this big pumpkin with two neighbours late yesterday.
I remember many many years ago seeing white on the cuts ends I tried flour and it still went mouldy.
But I did not add salt or put lemon juice on it...Many Thanks.....Cheers...MM.
belladonna12
20 years ago
My grandparents just leaves theres on the table and since the whole house is air conditoned and its kept at 25 degrees and they never have mould growing on it thats all we do and they stay fine we just cut a 5mm slither off before we go to eat but its usually pretty cool after that. I can't stand the air con so i dont use it in my room but it works for everything i cut a rose for my grandma off my rose bush and it lasted 3 1/2 weeks just in water sun on it all day everyday all because the temp was 25 constant lol.

cheers bella

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