It's all about the delicious pumpkin. Not just about Halloween and carving, but also delicious pumpkin dishes. But sometimes you buy the pumpkin and don't get around to actually preparing it for a long time. Pumpkins actually have a long shelf life, provided they are stored correctly. But what if mold has formed on the stem or it feels soft in one place. Can it still be processed? And what about the cut fruit? Is it enough to simply cut away mold deposits? We summarize what you should do if the pumpkin has mold.
Whole pumpkins – storage and how to deal with mold infestation
First, we'll summarize how to preserve the pumpkin by storing it properly, how to deal with spoiled areas and whether itcan become moldy from the insidewithout being cut.
Prevent mold on pumpkins – How long does a pumpkin last if stored correctly?
How long can you store pumpkin? This depends primarily on its maturity when purchased and of course also on the storage conditions. Unlike bananas, for example, which you can buy green and then store for a longer period of time, these vegetables have to be really ripe in order to last for a long time. Only then is the shell hardened well. Supermarket produce was usually not harvested when it was ripe, so the fruit spoiled more quickly.Whether they are ripe, test quickly by tapping it (it sounds hollow). The stem should also be dry and the peel should be difficult to scratch with a fingernail.
Then store the ripe specimen in a cool place at 10 to 14 degrees and dry with good air circulation. The humidity should be below 60 percent. A hanging net is the most optimal for storage
The pumpkin has mold on the stem or other outside - edible or not?
In this area, the pumpkin can develop mold if the stem was soft when purchased and before storage. This makes it easier for germs to penetrate the vegetable and spoil it from the inside out. In this case, or even if you have noticed small spoiled spots on the outside, you don't have to throw the pumpkin away right away. When processing, simply cut off the affected areas, but be sure to do so generously, as neighboring areas can also be affected without it being visually noticeable.
Also, peel the pumpkin and only eat the inside, which cannot have come into contact with the mold.The bowlshould have protected the inside as long as it is not yet soft or broken.
However, caution is advised, especially with small children. In general it applies thatmoldy fruitand vegetables or other foods are no longer edible and children ultimately have even more sensitive bodies.
Pumpkin Mold – How do you handle cut vegetables?
If you cannot meet the storage conditions mentioned above, you may also use the pumpkinDice, blanch and then freeze. This way you can store it for several months. But what if you have already processed some and stored the rest in the fridge or even at room temperature?
The pumpkin is cut open – how long does it last?
Cut vegetables belong in the fridge and of course this also applies to pumpkins. But how long does pumpkin last in the fridge? You can safely keep it there for three to four days, provided you protect the interfaces. To do this, simply cover them with cling film.
What can you do if the interfaces are moldy?
We have already mentioned that you can cut away mold on the outside of the pumpkin. But what about the inner parts, i.e. the pulp?
If the pumpkin has mold on the inside, you should no longer eat it. Even if you cut that part off, that's no guarantee that the other areas won't also be affected. Because mold is not immediately visible. It takes time for the characteristic fuzz to appear, which doesn't mean that the spores haven't already spread. Mold is toxic and carcinogenic and, in large quantities, can cause symptoms of food poisoning and, if consumed over time, can even damage the liver and kidneys.
Protect cut vegetables or pieces from mold
With a simple trick you can protect the cut pumpkin from mold and increase its shelf life. The moisture in the pulp combined with the air causes mold to spread. While you can't do anything about the moisture, you can at least prevent air from reaching the surfaces. One variant, as already mentioned above, is to cover it with foil. But cooking oil is also ideal if you want to avoid unnecessary plastic waste. Rub the cut areas with oil, preferably choosing a tasteless type (e.g. sunflower oil).
Find out how to make carved Halloween pumpkins last longerin this article.
