3 health benefits of pumpkin
What are some unique nutritive values of pumpkin? It has an impressive nutritional profile:
- Packed with vitamins to boost immunity: Particularly rich in vitamins A, C and E, pumpkin significantly strengthens the immune system and help to fight infections. Pumpkin also contains the antioxidants alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin that protect the cells against damage by free radicals and lower the risk of cancer.
- Improve the eyesight and heart health: According to different studies, pumpkin is comprised of a special nutritional composition that can lower the risk of sight loss. Additionally, being high in potassium and fibre, regular consumption of pumpkin lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of strokes – two risk factors for heart disease.
- Promote healthy skin: Carotenoids, other useful elements of pumpkin, act as a natural sunblock and help to protect skin cells against damage from harmful UV rays. Together vitamin C, carotenoids produce collagen, a special protein that keeps the skin strong and healthy.
The Museum of Pumpkin in Sevlievo
Bulgaria boasts original cultural resources devoted to pumpkins - the unique Museum of Pumpkin (Sevlievo).
It was set up 10 years ago with the aim to share educational materials about the role of this fruit in Bulgarian culture.
Interesting old photos of events dedicated to pumpkins for many decades, numerous awards won in different competitions, and distinctive artworks are just some of the artefacts of the museum.
Additionally, every October Sevlievo hosts the Pumpkin festival, the major event devoted to the huge fruit in Bulgaria.
Although other Bulgarian cities usually organize their fairs, pumpkin harvesters never miss the celebrations in Sevlievo to learn about the recent innovations in growing pumpkins, buy the best seeds and participate in competitions for the biggest pumpkins.
The authentik Bulgarian dessert Tikvenik
Tikvenik is one of the traditional symbols of Bulgarian cuisine. It is a delicious savoury pie made of phyllo pastry sheets and pumpkin sometimes mixed with apples or walnuts.
The original tikvenik is prepared with the homemade dough, but it is possible to buy it at the supermarket.
In different varieties, the dessert is made for daily meals and holiday dinners almost all year.
Preparation time: 30 min. Cooking time: 40 min
Ingredients:
Crust:
- 500 gr flour
- 300 ml warm water
- 1 tablespoon sunflower oil
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 1/3 teaspoon salt
Filling:
- 1 medium-size pumpkin
- 2 green apples
- 100 gr minced walnuts
- 3 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Preparation:
- Sift flour into a large flat bowl. Add warm water, salt, vinegar and oil, and knead a soft dough. Divide it into 5 balls and let them rest for 20 min.
- Roll out each ball into a thin sheet of filo pastry.
- Grate pumpkin and apples into a bowl. Put in walnuts and sugar and mix everything.
- Dizzle some oil on sheets and distribute feeling. Roll each sheet with feeling and place them on a big pan into spirals connecting rolls.
- Pre-heat oven to 180-200 C and bake for about 40 min. Take it out and dust it with powdered sugar.
Serve warm or cold with honey or jam.