What is Red Pumpkin? (bhopla, kaddu), Nutritional Info, Uses,Recipes (2024)

red pumpkin

Last Updated : Feb 28,2024

Viewed 96622 times

लाल_कद्दू की ग्लॉसरी हिन्दी में पढ़ें

લાલ_કોળું ની ગ્લોસરી ગુજરાતી માં વાંચો

What is Red Pumpkin? (bhopla, kaddu), Nutritional Info, Uses,Recipes (1)

Also Known as

Kaddu, Lal Bhopla Red pumpkin or Lal bhopla is poor man's source of carotene in India. Other sources (like apples, carrots) normally happen to be rather expensive when not in the peak of season. Red pumpkin, however, is 'in season' throughout the year unlike in the Western countries, where it is typically an autumn appearance.

We are just beginning to discover the wealth of nourishment supplied by the mildly sweet flavored and finely textured red pumpkin. Red pumpkin is the member of the Cucurbitaceae family come in many different varieties. While each type varies in shape, color, size and flavor, they all have hard protective skins that are difficult to pierce that give them a long storage life.

Chopped and parboiled red pumpkin

What is Red Pumpkin? (bhopla, kaddu), Nutritional Info, Uses,Recipes (2)Red pumpkin should be washed thoroughly and peeled off. Take a sharp knife, slice it from the top to remove the stem and then cut it into half from the centre then further chop it into small pieces.

Then boil enough water in a deep non-stick pan, place the chopped pumpkin in it and cook it on a medium flame till they are just parboiled which will take approx. 5 to 7 minutes. Use as required.

Chopped red pumpkin

What is Red Pumpkin? (bhopla, kaddu), Nutritional Info, Uses,Recipes (3)Wash the rind of red pumpkin with water and dry it using a kitchen towel. Use a sharp knife to carefully slice off the top and the bottom. A serrated knife works best for items that have a softer interior and tougher exterior like pumpkin, melons, tomatoes, and breads. Stand the red pumpkin on end, and carefully slice down through the centre. Remove the seeds with the tip of a knife, if you want. Slice red pumpkin into not very thick nor very thin wedges. Remove the rind by inserting a knife between the rind and the flesh to cut it away. Remove all the remaining seeds. Cut the wedges into long uniform strips. Line up the strips with your non-working hand and cut them into square pieces of desired size (approximately ¼ inch in diameter).

Grated red pumpkin

What is Red Pumpkin? (bhopla, kaddu), Nutritional Info, Uses,Recipes (4)Wash the rind of red pumpkin with water and dry it using a kitchen towel. Use a sharp knife to carefully slice off the top and the bottom. Stand the red pumpkin on end, and carefully slice down through the centre. Remove the seeds with the tip of a knife, if you want. Slice red pumpkin into not very thick nor very thin wedges. Hold the thick/ thin end of the grater in one hand and the red pumpkin wedge in the other hand. Now place the red pumpkin wedge on the blade and push it downwards using the force of your hands to get grated strands of red pumpkin. You can grate it thickly or thinly as per the recipe requirement.

Red pumpkin cubes

What is Red Pumpkin? (bhopla, kaddu), Nutritional Info, Uses,Recipes (5)Wash the rind of red pumpkin with water and dry it using a kitchen towel. Use a sharp knife to carefully slice off the top and the bottom. Stand the red pumpkin on end, and carefully slice down through the centre. Remove the seeds with the tip of a knife, if you want. Slice red pumpkin into not very thick nor very thin wedges. Remove the rind by inserting a knife between the rind and the flesh to cut it away. Remove all the remaining seeds. Cut the wedges into long uniform thick strips. Line up the strips with your non-working hand and cut them into square pieces of desired size (approximately ½ inch in diameter).

Red pumpkin fingers

What is Red Pumpkin? (bhopla, kaddu), Nutritional Info, Uses,Recipes (6)

Sliced red pumpkin

What is Red Pumpkin? (bhopla, kaddu), Nutritional Info, Uses,Recipes (7)Holding red pumpkin vertically, slice using a sharp knife by cutting vertically across the cutting board. Slice them thinly or thickly as the recipe requirement.

How to Select red pumpkin, kaddu, bhopla

Choose ones that are firm, heavy for their size and have dull, not glossy, rinds. The rind should be hard as soft rinds may indicate that the squash is watery and lacking in flavor. Avoid those with any signs of decay, which manifest as areas that are water-soaked areas or moldy.

16 Ways to Use red pumpkin, kaddu, bhopla

1. Bhopla in English is known as Red pumpkin. Before using, rinse off any dirt. Cutting the pumpkin may be challenging, use a large knife with a long handle. Once cut in small pieces, you can then remove the seeds, the fibers and the skin.

2. The pumpkin can be boiled or steamed until tender. You can then smash it into a puree or a soup. You can also add cubes of pumpkin to your favorite vegetable soup recipe.

3. You can also cook the whole pumpkin and cut and peel it afterwards. Make some holes in the pumpkin and place it the oven until the skin caramelized. Roasted Pumpkin and Garlic can be prepared in just 10 minutes and complements simple to exotic meals very well.

4. Shredded or diced, the pumpkin can be sautéed in an oiled skillet and served as a side dish.

5. Its flesh is dense and can be shredded. You may want to serve it as a salad along with walnuts, raisins and cheese.

6. The combination of Rocket Leaves, Zucchini Red Pumpkin in balsamic dressing makes a healthy lunch salad.

7. The use of pumpkin is not just limited to subzis and soups. You can also grate them and fortify your doughs and make different flatbreads like Lehsuni Bajra Aur Kaddu ki Roti, Pumpkin Paratha, Kaddu Palak Ki Roti.

8. South Style Mixed Veg Curry is a semi-dry coconut flavored dish with vegetables like red pumpkin, drumsticks, yam, French beans, carrots, raw banana, brinjal making a tasty and tangy dish.
Similarly, you can make a Mangalorean Style Valval that is an assortment of Vegetables in Coconut Milk .

9. You can also make sumptuous snacks like Pumpkin Pakoras, Grilled Pumpkin, Oven Baked Pumpkin Fries.

10. Bhoplyachi Bhaji ( Dangar Chi Bhaji) is an authentic Maharashtrian dish made with spices and an aromatic tempering.

11. Make accompaniments like Red Pumpkin Chutney, Red Pumpkin Pachadi, Pumpkin Raita and lose yourself to the refreshing flavor of them.

12. The usage is not limited to main courses, Gulgule an authentic Maharashtrian sweet is made by deep-frying a batter of sweetened pumpkin flavored with cardamom.

13. It is also used in continental cuisine to make an array of dishes ranging from salads to sandwiches. Penne in Pumpkin Sauce, Creamy Pumpkin Risotto are some delightful Italian preparations with mellow flavor.

14. Thai cuisine also makes use of pumpkin to make a heartwarming Thai Style Pumpkin Soup.

15. Pumpkin is widely used in South Indian cuisine to make various dals like Sambar, Kolumbu.

16. Avial, Pongal Kootu, Pumpkin Kootu Curry are other popular curry from various regions of Southern India.

How to Store red pumpkin, kaddu, bhopla

Winter squash has a much longer storage life than summer squash. Depending upon the variety, it can be kept for one week to six months. It should be kept away from direct exposure to light and should not be subject to extreme heat or extreme cold. The ideal temperature for storing winter squash is between 50-60°F (about 10-15°C). Once it is cut, cover the pieces of winter squash in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator, where they will keep for one or two days. The best way to freeze winter squash is to first cut it into pieces of suitable size for individual recipes.

Is Pumpkin (bhopla, lauki) healthy?

Pumpkin is a type of winter squash most commonly termed as bhopla by the vegetable vendors in the Indian market. While in western countries it’s typical an autumn experience, in India it’s available throughout the year. This nutrient rich flesh vegetable can improve your skin, cell health, immunity, eyesight, weight and so on…. It has a very interesting nutrient profile. Let’s study it in detail.

Red pumpkin, kaddu, bhopla offers 7 major health benefits

Yes, Pumpkin is one of the Super foods one must add to their diet

1. Can Pumpkin Aid in Weight Loss?

Pumpkin is an ingredient which has a super decent major nutrient profile. Despite being high in nutrients, it is low in calories (31 calories per cup), carbs (5.7 g per cup) and fat (1.75 g per cup) and should not be missed out by anyone who aims to maintain or lose weight. Though it’s not a wholesome source of fiber, you can take advantage of the other nutrients in this profile. Enjoy this mildly sweet vegetable sliced, roasted, grilled or in the forma a subzi. Want to try something new and exotic with Pumpkin? We have a healthy breakfast option for you – Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats

For complete health benefits Pumpkin (bhopla, lauki) read this article.

Nutritional Value of Pumpkin (kaddu, lal bhopla)

1 cup of pumpkin cubes is about 125 g
RDA stands for Recommended Daily Allowance.

Energy - 31 calories
Protein – 1.75 g
Carbohydrate – 5.75 g
Fat – 0.1 g
Fiber – 0.8 g

Vitamins:
2.5 mg of Vitamin C = 6.25 % of RDA (about 40 mg)
5526 mcg of Vitamin A = 115.1 % of RDA (about 4800 mcg)
16.25 mcg of Folate (vitamin B9) = 16.25% of RDA (about 100 mcg)

Minerals:
47.5 mg of Magnesium = 13.57% of RDA (about 350 mg)
37.5 mg of Phosphorus = 6.25% of RDA (about 600 mg)
241.2 mg of Potassium = 5.13% of RDA (about 4700 g)
7 mg of sodium

Glycemic Index of Red Pumpkin

Red Pumpkin has a Glycemic Index of 75 which is High.
Foods you eat rank from 0 to 50 are low GI, 51 to 69 are medium and 70 to 100 are high.
Foods that are high in GI are not suitable for weight loss and diabetics.
However, the low carb content in pumpkin reduces its effect on blood sugar resulting in a lower GLYCEMIC load of 3 thus making it a super food to have.
So you can safely have pumpkin but do so in moderation.

What is Red Pumpkin? (bhopla, kaddu), Nutritional Info, Uses,Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is Bhopla called in English? ›

1. Bhopla in English is known as Red pumpkin.

Is kaddu and bhopla same? ›

Red pumpkin, kaddu or Lal bhopla is poor man's source of carotene in India. Other sources (like apples, carrots) normally happen to be rather expensive when not in the peak of season. Pumpkin is widely used in South Indian cuisine to make various dals like Sambar, Kolumbu.

What are the advantages of Kaddu? ›

Properties of Pumpkin:

It may help lower sugar level. It may protect against cancer. It may fight against various microbes like viruses, fungi and bacteria. It may increase the blood pressure.

What are red pumpkins? ›

Sometimes called Red Kabocha. An F1 hybrid in the turban family, relative of the buttercup squash. It has an orange shell with tan blotches, with a white cap and slightly-indented tan ribs. Inside, they have finely-textured orange flesh, which is sweet and dense, and not watery.

What is kaddu in American English? ›

English translation of 'कद्दू'

A pumpkin is a large, round, orange-coloured vegetable with a thick skin.

What are the benefits of red Bhopla? ›

While the oats help reduce cholesterol, the red pumpkin further improves heart health with potassium and vitamin C. A low-calorie fruit with loads of fibre, apple aids in digestion. A cup of pumpkin cubes fulfils your day's requirement of vitamin A (5526 mcg), thus making it a super food for your eyes.

Is red pumpkin good for diabetics? ›

Pumpkin ranks high on the glycemic index at 75, but low on the glycemic load at 3. People might assume that it is bad for diabetics because of its high GI, but that is not true. Its low GL rank indicates that having a small portion of pumpkin is perfectly safe and will not drastically increase your blood sugar levels.

What is the difference between pumpkin and kaddu? ›

Kaddu and pumpkin are actually the same thing. "Kaddu" is the Hindi name for pumpkin, which is a type of winter squash that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. It is a highly nutritious vegetable that is low in calories and high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Is pumpkin good for hormones? ›

Balances hormone levels

Pumpkin contains zinc, which can be a vital mineral for helping treat hormonal acne. (4) Zinc can help keep hormone levels under control, and level out oil production.

Is red pumpkin good for health? ›

Pumpkin provides calcium, potassium, and magnesium, which can help keep your heartbeat regular and your blood pressure low. The fiber in pumpkin can also play a part in lowering blood pressure as well as cholesterol. In addition, the fiber in pumpkin makes you feel full promoting weight loss.

What is the nutritional value of pumpkin? ›

Pumpkin is also low in calories and a good source of fiber, containing 50 calories and three grams fiber per one-cup serving. It's also an excellent source of potassium at 564 milligrams, which helps your muscles contract, regulate fluids, maintain normal blood pressure, and balance minerals in and out of body cells.

What is the healthiest way to eat pumpkin? ›

Pureed, baked or roasted pumpkin is a nutrient-dense food that is low in calories and fat while being high in fiber, helping you feel full for longer.

Can red pumpkin be eaten raw? ›

Yes, you can eat pumpkin raw. Furthermore, eating raw pumpkin and raw pumpkin seeds provides significantly more nutritional and health benefits than eating it cooked. Cooking minimizes water-soluble nutrients like vitamins B and C, and also reduces the vitamin A, potassium and copper content.

What are pumpkins 90% of? ›

Pumpkins are 90 percent water The "pumpkin" is referred to in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater and Cinderella.

Are there any pumpkins you can't eat? ›

Which pumpkins can I eat? You can eat any variety of pumpkin. Varieties vary wildly in taste.

What is Guyana pumpkin called? ›

Calabaza or West Indian Pumpkin is a C. moschata squash species type widely eaten in the Caribbean, parts of Central America, South America, and Mexico.

What is the Sicilian word for pumpkin? ›

As a consequence, it is easy to understand that the term “cucuzza” means pumpkin or, more typically, long zucchini. This last term is surely one of the most known among the typical Sicilian ones.

What is the Filipino name of pumpkin? ›

Pumpkin, known as “kalabasa” in Filipino, is a versatile and widely used ingredient in Philippine cuisine. Its rich history and cultural significance make it a staple in traditional Filipino dishes, as well as a key ingredient in contemporary culinary creations.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Fredrick Kertzmann

Last Updated:

Views: 5900

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fredrick Kertzmann

Birthday: 2000-04-29

Address: Apt. 203 613 Huels Gateway, Ralphtown, LA 40204

Phone: +2135150832870

Job: Regional Design Producer

Hobby: Nordic skating, Lacemaking, Mountain biking, Rowing, Gardening, Water sports, role-playing games

Introduction: My name is Fredrick Kertzmann, I am a gleaming, encouraging, inexpensive, thankful, tender, quaint, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.