A lot to offer
Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo, squash) is an annual member of the Cucurbitaceae family, which takes on a trailing form with large, dark green, hairy leaves, yellow male and female flowers producing large orange fruits. Originally a native of North America, it can now be grown almost anywhere except the polar regions.
The Maya used the flesh to treat burns and the seeds as a diuretic. Early American settlers made a preparation from the seeds to expel intestinal worms, which became so effective it was eventually accepted by the medical profession and became a standard treatment.
Pumpkin seeds contain vitamins A, B, and E, the minerals, calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc and selenium as well as linoleic and oleic acids. These compounds are probably the reason why roasted pumpkin seeds are so popular in China, where they are believed to promote longevity. Zinc is a trace element essential at every stage of life – it helps form enzymes that enable proteins to become ‘building blocks’ for new cells. A deficiency of zinc can have serious consequences such as arrested foetal development, dwarfism and mental health problems. Selenium occurs naturally in the soil but has an uneven distribution. It promotes blood cell activity, delays the ageing process and scavenges harmful free-radicals. A lack of this element can lead to anaemia, heart disease and liver disorders. It appears that the humble pumpkin has a lot to offer.
Worms may not be a popular subject around the breakfast table but they are as common as nits and infect hundreds of millions of people, particularly children; they transcend class, creed and race. They can be found in the intestines of the Wall Street broker and the Mongolian shaman. While not serious, they can be difficult to eliminate. The chemical cucurbitin, which occurs in the seed, is a powerful anthelmintic (worm purge), which will not only cure the common roundworm but will destroy the more difficult tapeworm, a tropical scourge. The recommended dose is 100 fresh shelled seeds infused for ten minutes.
Pumpkin seed is now known to have a beneficial effect on the prostate and will reduce benign enlargement. Herbalists suggest eating a handful of seeds each day. Recent research indicates that cucurbitin may be a treatment for schistosomiasis.
Pumpkins, like all members of its family, are extremely easy to grow in Cyprus. Start the seed in pots and plant out when the seedlings have formed their first two leaves. They like a rich moist soil and are thirsty devils. To ensure very large fruits, stop the runners after two or three small pumpkins have formed.
Try this recipe; remove the skin and cut pumpkin into chunks and place in a large saucepan, slice two large onions and four large tomatoes, add a pinch of nutmeg, salt and pepper, two sprigs of rosemary, sufficient stock to cover the vegetables then bring to the boil, cover and simmer until soft. Then add a small pot of yoghurt or double cream and stir in. Puree the soup in a blender and re-heat, don’t boil. Garnish with a few rosemary leaves.
Next week Pomegranates
