About Pumpkin and Pumpkin Juice Recipes:
A pumpkin is a cultivar of winter squash that is round with smooth, slightly ribbed skin, and is most often deep yellow to orange in coloration. The thick shell contains the seeds and pulp. The name is most commonly used for cultivars of Cucurbita pepo, but some cultivars of Cucurbita maxima, C. argyrosperma, and C. moschata with similar appearance are also sometimes called “pumpkin”.
Native to North America (northeastern Mexico and the southern United States), pumpkins are one of the oldest domesticated plants, having been used as early as 7,000 to 5,500 BC.[1] Pumpkins are widely grown for commercial use and as food, aesthetics, and recreational purposes. Pumpkin pie, for instance, is a traditional part of Thanksgiving meals in Canada and the United States, and pumpkins are frequently carved as jack-o’-lanterns for decoration around Halloween, although commercially canned pumpkin purée and pumpkin pie fillings are usually made from different kinds of winter squash from the ones used for jack-o’-lanterns. In 2019, China accounted for 37% of the world’s production of pumpkins.
Etymology and terminology
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the English word pumpkin is derived from the Ancient Greek word πέπων romanized pepon meaning ‘melon’.[2][3] Under this theory, the term transitioned through the Latin word peponem and the Middle French word pompon to the Early Modern English pompion, which was changed to pumpkin by 17th-century English colonists, shortly after encountering pumpkins upon their arrival in what is now the northeastern United States.[2]
An alternate derivation for pumpkin is the Massachusett word pôhpukun ‘grows forth round’.[4] This term would likely have been used by the Wampanoag people (who speak the Wôpanâak dialect of Massachusett) when introducing pumpkins to English Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony, located in present-day Massachusetts.[5] The English word squash is also derived from a Massachusett word, variously transcribed as askꝏtasquash,[6] ashk8tasqash, or, in the closely-related Narragansett language, askútasquash.[7]
The term pumpkin has no agreed upon botanical or scientific meaning, and is used interchangeably with “squash” and “winter squash”. In North America and the United Kingdom, pumpkin traditionally refers to only certain round orange varieties of winter squash, predominantly derived from Cucurbita pepo, while in New Zealand and Australian English, the term pumpkin generally refers to all winter squash.
Pumpkin juice recipe isn’t just for Halloween. I feel that pumpkin is unfairly neglected when it comes to juicing at home. Pumpkin is a very humble fruit and gives you lots of options to play with in the kitchen.
Potatoes, pumpkin pies, other smoothies, and juices are as delicious as they are healthy.
I’ve tried different pumpkin juice recipes over the years and found five of the best variations to please everyone’s taste buds.
Pumpkin juice is a common treat in literature, such as the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Then it’s time to bring the magic to our table and cook delicious pumpkin juice potions.
Before sharing my recipes, let’s talk about why we prefer the benefits of pumpkin.
I will share which types of pumpkin are good for cooking and juices.
Pumpkin – Benefits
According to Medical News Today, the flesh, juice, seeds, and leaves of pumpkin don’t contain many calories, but they do contain lots of vitamins and minerals.
People on a healthy diet use pumpkin for a healthy butter substitute, nutritious addition to salads, and pumpkin seeds as a healthy snack.
Let’s see why pumpkin is so good for your health.
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Source Of Beta Carotene
An antioxidant that gives fruits and vegetables such as carrots and pumpkins their beautiful orange color is beta carotene.
When you get beta carotene from pumpkin, your body converts it to vitamin A.
In addition, regular beta carotene intake protects against asthma and heart-related diseases and reduces the risk of certain types of cancer (colon, prostate) and eye degeneration.
The beta carotene in pumpkin also protects against obesity and acts as a natural protector against diabetes. Increases energy and maintains healthy hair and skin.
Pumpkin Is Good For Blood Pressure
Due to the high levels of fiber, potassium, and vitamin C in zucchini, it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Pumpkin Seeds – Reason More To Love Pumpkins
A medical journal published a few years ago drew attention to the positive effects of pumpkin seeds on health. According to this article, pumpkin seeds have the following properties:
- Anti-diabetic
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-fungal
- Anti-inflammation
- Anti-microbial
In addition, pumpkin seeds are rich in protein, which makes them an important part of a balanced diet.
Pumpkin – Nutritional Value
The FoodData database reveals the nutritional value of a serving of pumpkin, boiled, cooked or juiced without extra seasonings like salt and sugar.
See the chart for the nutritional value of a 245 gram serving of pumpkin.
Nutritions | Values |
Protein | 1.76 g |
Fiber | 2.7 g |
Fat | 0.17 |
Carbohydrate | 12 g |
Cholesterol | 0 g |
Total calories | 49 kcal |
Vitamins | A, C, E, B-6 |
Other minerals | Riboflavin, potassium, copper, thiamin, manganese, niacin, iron, etc. |
Pumpkin is great for weight loss. If you don’t know how to include pumpkin in your diet, pumpkin juice is an excellent start. Keep in mind that different varieties of pumpkin juice will not be as low-calorie as raw pumpkin, as you can add sugar, honey, and other ingredients.
Pumpkin Juice Varieties
There are several types of zucchini. Some are only used for decoration and Jack-o-Lanterns during the Halloween season, but those with a sweeter taste are suitable for cooking and juicing.
However, most juice books with great recipes do not specify which pumpkin variety to use.
Here are some of the most suitable pumpkin varieties to choose from for juice. In general, edible pumpkins that you can find in most supermarkets and use for cooking and juicing are:
- Jarrahdale
- Cinderella
- Musquee de Provence
- Cherokee Bush
- Casper
- Baby bear
- Sugar pumpkins
- Butterkin
- Long Island Cheese
Most of these varieties are sweet, so you can use less sugar when making smoothies and juices from them. These are orange pumpkins, with the exception of the Casper variety, which is used for the popular white pumpkin juice.
Are There Side Effects To Pumpkin Juice?
If you take pumpkin juice in high amounts, side effects may occur. These include stomach upset, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and hypoglycemia.
Adults can safely consume one to two 8-ounce cans of pumpkin juice per day, depending on the juice ingredients.
You should never give pumpkin juice to a baby, and if you are pregnant, consult your doctor about a safe dose of pumpkin juice for you.
Top 5 Pumpkin Juice Recipes
Let’s mix pumpkin potions! Some recipes include raw and sliced pumpkin, while others contain pumpkin puree. You can use puree when zucchini isn’t in season or you don’t have time to make your own.
Scroll down to learn how to make pumpkin puree in one of my juice recipes.
I always prefer to make my own, but when my time is limited, canned porridge works like a charm.
Before we move on to the best pumpkin juice recipes, learn how to prepare your pumpkin for juice.
How To Prepare Pumpkins For Juicing
The first thing to do is to wash your pumpkin outside. May contain traces of dirt and soil. You don’t want pumpkin juice with soil in it, do you?
Then, if you have a pumpkin, remove the stem, cut the pumpkin in half and remove the seeds with a spoon.
Since zucchini is very tough, I recommend using a chef’s knife or another sharp knife suitable for cutting large vegetables.
Peel the skin and cut the pieces into smaller pieces that you will use later.
- Pro tip: When working with a compact juicer, slice the pumpkin and other ingredients into small pieces for better results.
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1. Raw Pumpkin Juice With Apples
My quick pumpkin raw juice recipe is something I love to make in early fall. I feel it boosts immunity, it’s refreshing and doesn’t have too many calories.
You can serve it as a family breakfast on Sunday. It wakes you up even better than coffee. Also, some people prefer to use zucchini and apples with their peel. When I peeled the skin, I found my juice had a much better texture and tasted the same.
But pumpkin and apple peels are rich in beneficial nutrients, so you can leave them out if you want extra vitamins.
- Servings: 4
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Cuisine: Global
- Course: Beverage
Ingredients:
- 4 cups pumpkin (peeled and sliced into small pieces)
- 4 green apples (peeled and sliced)
- Fresh ginger (minced) – to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Cloves – to taste
Prepare the zucchini and apples by washing, peeling and cutting them into small pieces.
Put them in your juicer along with the other ingredients and blend until you get a smooth texture.
Serve with cinnamon sticks or ice cubes and enjoy!
2. Jamaican Spiced Pumpkin Juice
The pumpkin, called Jamaican pumpkin or Caribbean pumpkin, is a tropical variety, sweet and soft. However, for the following Jamaican drink, you can use the edible pumpkin variety available at your local supermarket.
Jamaicans have created so many fun and delicious recipes with tropical pumpkin, and below is my comment on the famous Jamaican drink. Use a vegetable chopper to save time because this recipe involves a lot of chopping in preparation!
I hope the taste of this juice transports you to a tropical paradise!
- Servings: 6
- Preparation time – 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Cuisine: Jamaican
- Course: Beverage
Ingredients:
- 12 carrots (peeled and sliced)
- 4 cups pumpkin (peeled and sliced)
- 1 tablespoon nutmeg
- 3 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (ground)
- 1 can – 15 ounces condensed milk (sweetened)
Prepare your ingredients by peeling and slicing the carrots and pumpkin into small pieces.
Juice them and add the remaining ingredients alongside the mixture into a large pitcher.
Stir well using a long spatula, making sure the condensed milk is dissolved.
Cover with a plate or foil and refrigerate for at least two hours.
Mix well before serving and add more ground cinnamon or finely chopped mint leaves for decoration.
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3. Orange Rhapsody
My next pumpkin juice recipe is a little more complex and includes many ingredients. However, you can easily adjust it to your taste and replace some of them with what you prefer.
It is also a very nice fall drink that you can serve at children’s birthday parties or family gatherings in the fall.
The recipe serves six, but you can adjust if you need more. I also sometimes use pumpkin puree from the grocery store for this, but you can make your pumpkin puree.
For this recipe: You need 2 pounds of sliced pumpkin. Bake for an hour and a half at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then take the meat and puree it with a hand mixer.
Remember, 2 pounds of sliced pumpkin is equal to a can of pumpkin puree. Therefore, if the recipe includes a larger amount of pumpkin puree, increase the portion of raw pumpkin.
- Servings: 6
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Cuisine: British
- Course: Beverage
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (ground)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (ground)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 20 apricots (dried)
- 3 cups of water
- 4 cups apple juice
- 10 allspice berries
- 4 slices of ginger (sliced to 2-inch pieces)
Soak the apricots in 3 glasses of water overnight and keep them in the refrigerator.
Mix apple juice, strawberries, sliced ginger in a saucepan and reduce the heat after the mixture boils.
Add vanilla extract, mix well and cook on the lowest heat for ten to 15 minutes.
Mix the apricots with the water they soaked until they get a smooth consistency.
Add the pumpkin puree and nutmeg and process the mixture once more.
Use a cheesecloth or cotton napkin to strain the apple juice mixture into the blender and process once more.
Repeat the straining process to drain all the pulp and you’ve got yourself a delicious pumpkin juice.
Serve fresh and hot!
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4. Healthy Orange Bomb
For some reason, people often mix apples and carrots with pumpkin when making juices. I tried adding avocado and the results were stunning. Plus, avocado is one of the superfoods, so this pumpkin-avocado juice makes a real vitamin treat.
- Servings: 4
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Beverage
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup pumpkin (sliced and peeled)
- 1/2 cup sweet potato (sliced and chopped)
- 1 cup avocado
- 1 carrot (sliced and peeled)
- 1 cup skimmed milk
- 2 teaspoons Mint leaves (finely chopped)
Prepare your materials.
Slice, peel and chop zucchini, carrots and sweet potatoes.
Peel the avocado and scoop out the flesh with a spoon.
Next, add the pumpkin to your juicer and let it process, add the other ingredients one at a time and process the mixture in between.
This way, you are providing the smoothest texture possible. I do not recommend adding all the ingredients at once; The flavors will not be the same.
Use cheesecloth or any cheesecloth alternative to strain the mixture into a pitcher.
Add the milk and stir the water to dissolve.
Cover the jug with a foil and leave in the refrigerator for at least half an hour.
Garnish with finely chopped mint leaves and serve cold.
5. Pumpkin & Ginger Mix
Pumpkin, ginger, and cider are great for boosting your immune system. If you have caught a cold, you will be cured from the moment you taste this delicious drink.
My family loves their Sunday morning raw pumpkin juice almost as much as they love it. I recommend this as an afternoon drink.
You can also make pumpkin puree yourself by using the recipe and procedure I explained in the Orange rhapsody section.
- Servings: 5
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Cuisine: American/British
- Course: Beverage
Ingredients:
- 1 can pumpkin puree
- 5 cups apple cider
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (ground)
- 2-inch ginger piece (sliced or minced)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
Use a saucepan and bring three glasses of cider to boil.
Add sliced or minced ginger, ground cinnamon and cloves.
Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
Add sugar and honey and mix well until the honey dissolves.
Let it cool a bit and add the remaining apple cider and pumpkin puree.
Mix well and pour the water into a large jug with a lid.
Store in the fridge or serve hot!
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The Magical Pumpkin Juice
Get creative and stop buying oranges for juices. Add other things like beautiful pumpkins. Mix and match your favorite ingredients to discover your favorite kind of pumpkin juice.
Anything from sweet potatoes, cider, dried fruits, carrots, apples, avocados, vanilla and honey goes perfectly with raw pumpkin or puree.
If the pumpkin you’re using isn’t too sweet, you can add a pinch of brown sugar to make it tastier.
Would you try homemade pumpkin juice?
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My favorite pumpkin juice is Irish poached pumpkin in Dragon Malta supligen vanilla lasco evaporated milk almond coconut vanilla carrot.