What is fig-leaved pumpkin: features of the species and its use in cooking and traditional medicine

People have been growing pumpkins for about 8,000 years. An easy-to-maintain, fruitful and nutritious vegetable has always been a good helper in the household. Endless possibilities in cooking, making dishes from dried pumpkins, loofah for a bath, decorative use - these are the virtues of a true friend of humanity.

Among the multitude pumpkin varieties there are exotic and unfamiliar for our regions. So only recently a wonderful southern visitor - fitcephaly - began to appear on the sites.

What is fig-leaved gourd (fitcephaly)

Fig-leaved pumpkin (Latin Cucurbita ficifolia) is a perennial plant of the Pumpkin family. Fitcephaly (the second name of the species) is a herbaceous vine native to South America. The pumpkin got its name because of the beautiful curly leaves that resemble the leaves of a fig tree.

In the climate of the middle zone this type of pumpkin is grown only as annual. Unpretentious and high-yielding in hot countries, phycephaly and in northern latitudes grows well. It is resistant to frost, many diseases and not capricious in the choice of soil.

Feature and Description

Late ripening culture, strong and fast-growing shoots (up to 3 m in length). Long lashes with beautiful leaves will help create a cozy decor on the site, if you let them go around a hedge or a gazebo. Proper placement of the lashes in the sun will increase yields.

The growth period is about 120 days from the moment of germination. Fycephaly is not afraid of temperature extremes and frosts down to -3 ° C. It tolerates cold morning fogs well, therefore it is immune to powdery mildew and fungal diseases. But it is necessary to monitor and do treatment from pests, the plant sometimes infects aphids.

The fig-leaved pumpkin has a long flowering period. It begins one and a half months after germination and lasts about 30 days. Another plus for decorativeness is bright yellow-orange flowers. The fruits resemble small watermelons, green in color with white specks or stripes. In northern latitudes, they reach from 2 to 5 kg, in warmer climates - up to 8 kg.

Reference. Sometimes phycephaly is used as the basis for grafting other varieties of pumpkins, squash and watermelon. Its remarkable natural immunity increases the resistance of the grafted crop to disease.

Uses of fig-leaved pumpkin

Excellent taste will delight everyone. Particular attention should be paid to fitsephaly for those who do not really like pumpkin - unlike other types, this one does not have a specific pumpkin flavor and recommended for diet and medical nutrition.

White, tender and juicy pulp is suitable for cooking any pumpkin dishes. The firm and firm skin will keep the vegetable fresh for several months. Young shoots and seeds are also used in cooking and traditional medicine.

In cooking

Pumpkin recipes several hundred. The pulp is used to prepare porridges, mashed soups, bake, stew, use both as a filling for pies and as a component of the dough. Fig-leaved pumpkin, due to its delicate sweetish taste, is especially good in desserts. We offer a simple dessert recipe - tasty and healthy for the whole family.

Candied pumpkin:

1. Cut the peeled pulp into thin slices.
2. Prepare syrup (the ratio of water and sugar - 1 tbsp. Per 700 g).
3. Add lemon or orange slices of your choice to the syrup.
4. Boil pumpkin pieces in boiling syrup for 5-7 minutes, turn off and let cool. Repeat cooking twice.
5. Remove the pumpkin slices, drain the syrup and dry in the oven, electric dryer or in the sun.
6. Roll the finished candied fruits in powdered sugar. Store in a sealed container in a cool place.

In folk medicine

First of all, pumpkin is useful for the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system.

Other medicinal properties:

• supports pancreatic function and promotes insulin production;
• has a beneficial effect on the liver;
• lowers blood cholesterol levels;
• Healing compresses and masks are prepared from pumpkin pulp: their indications are burns, irritation, dermatitis and other problems with the skin.

Pumpkin pulp is successfully used in dietary and medical nutrition. If you want to adjust your weight and improve your figure, figgy gourd will be your faithful assistant in drawing up the right diet. Pumpkin has no restrictions, only individual intolerance to the product, but this is extremely rare.

Pumpkin seeds - a source of natural protein, vitamins and minerals. Natural antioxidants make them especially valuable. A salad with pumpkin seeds will always be useful.

Diet vitamin salad

You can use any greens you like in this recipe. For example, make a combination of spinach, watercress, parsley.

1. Rinse fresh herbs and chop. Cut the paprika into thin strips. Grate the carrots on a medium grater.
2. Gently mix ingredients, add peeled and dried pumpkin seeds.
3. Season with filling (olive oil or sunflower oil, a few drops of lemon juice, a pinch of salt, garlic and spices to your liking). Infuse the filling for 10-15 minutes.
4. Sprinkle sesame seeds on the salad, it will decorate the dish and add its own flavor.

Growing

Fig gourd adapts well to different climates. It can be grown even in Siberia and the Urals, you just need proper care of the culture.

Growing seedlings

The term to sow fig-leaved pumpkin is in April.

The algorithm is as follows:

1. Soak the seeds in warm water for two to three days and germinate.
2. In pots, prepare a mixture of turf, peat and sawdust. Sprinkle wood ash from pests on top.
3. Plant the seeds, keep the seedlings for three weeks at a temperature of + 15-17 ° C, water in moderation.
4. In seedlings, you can keep up to the fifth leaf (about a month).
5. Light up with a lamp if there are many cloudy days in spring.

Transplantation and further care

Before planting seedlings in the ground water with organic fertilizer or add it to the soil. Choose an open, sunny place - Fitcephaly loves warmth and light. Make holes 10 cm deep at a distance of 2 m from each other. Fitcephaly needs large spaces.

After the sixth-seventh leaf, pinch the upper bud so that the side shoots go. This will shape and guide the stems of the plant. If long lashes without side shoots are more suitable for your site, pinching is not necessary. Flowering begins in July and the ovary appears in early August. Watering the plant is moderate. In the period of fruit set, re-fertilize the soil with diluted organic matter.

Reference. Fitcephaly is not cross-pollinated with other types and varieties of pumpkins.

Harvesting and application of the crop

The fruits ripen in autumn. To speed up maturation, you can pinch all the growth buds and sprinkle them with earth. Stop watering two weeks before harvesting. Fitcephaly tolerates the first autumn frosts well, therefore it is better to collect it after the leaves have completely wilted. In a mature pumpkin, the stalk becomes very hard and gradually dies off. The rind also hardens. Ripe black seeds.

Important! Three main signs that it's time to harvest: drying of the lashes, woody stalk, hardening of the peel.

Cut the pumpkin with pruning shears, leaving the stalk of at least 5 cm. Take whole, undamaged, even fruits for long-term storage.Stack dry, clean pumpkins carefully so that they do not fall or bump. At the point of impact, the fruit begins to deteriorate faster. Store in a cool, dark pantry.

Pumpkin has another advantage - a hard skin. Therefore, do not rush to throw it away. If you cut off the top with a stalk, carefully remove the pulp and seeds, and dry the empty fruit and show a little imagination, your home and garden decor will only benefit from many pumpkin crafts. The fruit can be primed, painted with paints and made into an unusual vase. Cover with varnish, insert a flower oasis soaked in water inside and create an amazing ikebana.

And especially sophisticated craftsmen will be carried away by carving - the art of artistic pumpkin carving.

Conclusion

Fitcephaly will be a wonderful novelty for all summer residents and amateur agronomists. Unpretentious and fast-growing, it will delight you with its decorativeness and delicious fruits. Small pumpkins are convenient for cooking. Long shelf life and great taste - figurative pumpkin has it all.