What's delicious to put in steamed pumpkin

Steamed pumpkin can be paired with ingredients such as red dates, lilies, goji berries, lotus seeds, and millet to enhance its taste and nutrition. Pumpkin itself has a sweet and soft taste, and when paired with these ingredients, it can enhance the flavor level while supplementing with various vitamins and minerals.

1. Red dates

Steaming red dates and pumpkin together can nourish qi and blood. Red dates are rich in iron and cyclic adenosine monophosphate, while pumpkin is rich in carotene and pectin. The combination of the two can help improve anemia symptoms. When steaming, it is recommended to remove the pits and slice the red dates, and place them alternately with pumpkin pieces. After steaming, the sweetness of the red dates will penetrate into the pumpkin. Diabetes patients need to control the consumption of jujube to avoid excessive sugar intake.

2. Lily

Fresh lilies combined with pumpkin have the effect of moistening the lungs and stopping cough. Lily contains colchicine and mucus that can alleviate autumn dryness, while pumpkin contains vitamin A that can protect the respiratory mucosa. It is recommended to choose Lanzhou fresh lilies, peel them and steam them with pumpkin for 15 minutes. The finished product will have a sweet and sticky texture. People with weak and cold constitution should not consume excessively.

3. Goji berries

Goji berries can enhance the antioxidant effect of pumpkin, and their polysaccharides and betaine, combined with pumpkin's beta carotene, help protect vision. Soak the goji berries in warm water for 5 minutes before steaming, sprinkle them on the surface of the pumpkin and steam for 10 minutes. Patients with chronic diarrhea should reduce their consumption of goji berries.

4. Lotus seeds

The combination of lotus seeds and pumpkin can invigorate the spleen and calm the mind. The cotton seed sugar in lotus seeds and the zinc element in pumpkin work together, making it suitable for people with poor sleep quality. It is recommended to soak dried lotus seeds with removed cores for 2 hours in advance, and steam them in layers with pumpkin chunks until the seeds are soft and bloom. People with indigestion can grind lotus seeds into a paste for consumption.

5. Xiaomi

Steamed rice with pumpkin is a classic combination. Xiaomi's methionine compensates for pumpkin's amino acid deficiency, and the two combine to form a complete protein. Soak the millet in advance for 30 minutes, steam it on the bottom of the pumpkin, and the rice grains will absorb the pumpkin juice and become golden and soft. For those with excessive stomach acid, it is recommended to pair it with alkaline ingredients.

When steaming pumpkin, pay attention to controlling the heat. After the water boils, steam over medium heat for 15-20 minutes to maintain its nutrition. The combination of ingredients should be adjusted according to physical constitution. People with damp and hot constitution should reduce the amount of red dates used, while those with yin deficiency constitution can increase the proportion of lilies. It is recommended to choose old pumpkin, whose flesh is more powdery and sweet, and has a higher content of beta carotene. It is recommended to use ceramic bowls for steaming containers to avoid metal utensils affecting the taste. The remaining pumpkin can be refrigerated for 2 days and needs to be thoroughly heated before consumption again. Special populations such as pregnant women and infants should consult a physician for advice before consumption.