How to use and rehydrate dried pumpkin

It is cut into thin strips so that it can be eaten as is or easily used in dishes such as soup. This means you can easily enjoy the sweetness of pumpkin without having to worry about removing the stem, seeds, and pulp, or the difficulty of cutting it.

This time, we will introduce three ways to rehydrate dried pumpkin. We will also tell you about the texture and recipes you can enjoy with each method, so please try them out.

[Add as is] It won't fall apart when added to food.

Because the moisture has been removed, it hardly falls apart when added to stews, rice dishes, or soups. It goes well with milk, butter, cream, and cheese, so it can be used in creamy pasta dishes or carbonara.

[Soak for 1 hour] A crunchy and fluffy texture

If you soak the pumpkin in water for about an hour, it will retain its firmness and soft texture. In this state, you can enjoy the pumpkin's natural sweetness, which can add a touch of color to a variety of dishes, especially salads and stir-fries. The pumpkin's shape is well preserved after soaking, so it can add color to the appearance of your dishes.

• Salad topping : Simply add pumpkin that has been soaked for an hour to a salad, and its soft, fluffy texture and sweetness will balance out the vegetables, creating a satisfying dish.
• Pumpkin salad : Pumpkin salad tossed in mayonnaise and honey goes perfectly with the natural sweetness of the pumpkin. Add walnuts or raisins to taste for a deeper flavor.
• Stir-fried : Pumpkin that has been soaked for an hour does not lose its shape easily, so it is ideal for stir-frying with soy sauce, mirin, sugar, etc. It retains a firm texture, making it a dish that highlights the fluffy texture and sweetness. It can be used as a side dish or as an accompaniment to a main dish.

[Half-day soaking] A soft texture with a strong sweetness

Pumpkins that are soaked for half a day will have a much sweeter flavor and a softer, smoother texture. You can fully enjoy the natural sweetness of the pumpkin, making it perfect for dishes that make use of its sweetness, such as stews and soups.

It becomes so soft that it crumbles easily, making it easy to create dishes with gentle flavors.It is particularly good when used in Japanese or Western soup dishes, as it gives the resulting dish a smooth, delicious texture.

• Boiled pumpkin : By soaking and boiling in soy sauce, mirin, sugar and other seasonings, the sweetness of the pumpkin blends with the seasonings to create a gentle boiled dish. It softens thoroughly after soaking for half a day, so the boiling time is short and it's easy to make even when you're busy. It's delicious both hot and cold, and is also recommended as a side dish.
• Pumpkin soup : You can easily make pumpkin soup by simmering it in milk or consomme. The soft pumpkin that is softened by soaking for half a day will dissolve easily in the soup and give it a mellow taste. Adding a little butter or cream will make it even richer. It's a perfect dish for the cold season.

Recommended recipes using dried pumpkin

1. Dehydrated vegetable bread: It can be eaten as a snack with alcohol or as a substitute for a snack, and it is delicious and healthy. Using dried vegetables makes it not only easy to make, but also moister than fresh vegetables, so it goes well with bread. Get the recipe
2. Banana bread with mibuna and pumpkin: This banana bread is an exquisite blend of the richness of dried vegetables and bananas. It tastes better if you leave it overnight so it's best to bake it the day before. Here's the recipe .

[Summary] Enjoy the rich taste of dried pumpkin without any pre-processing

The biggest attraction is that it is dried slowly by exposing it to warm air, so you can enjoy it without having to heat it up like you would with raw pumpkin. The sweetness of the pumpkin is enhanced by slowly heating it at a low temperature, and it has a fluffy texture.

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