If your baby has started eating solids, you can consider trying pumpkin for them. Pumpkin for babies is a nutritious vegetable rich in essential nutrients, such as vitamin A (beta carotene) and minerals that help develop the baby. You can add it to different seasonal vegetables and fruits to make healthy homemade baby foods. However, knowing the right time and age-appropriate ways to feed pumpkin to babies is important to ensure your baby digest and assimilate it properly. Keep reading to learn the right age to feed pumpkins to babies, their health benefits, and easy pumpkin baby food recipes you can try.
When To Introduce Pumpkin To Babies?
Once your baby crosses the six-month milestone and graduates to eating solid food, you can safely introduce pumpkin to them. It can be prepared in almost any form (steaming, roasting, boiled, grilled, etc.) you desire to feed your baby. But if you want to introduce pumpkin seeds are not recommended for a baby or toddler as they might be allergic to them. If you want to introduce the seeds too, you may do so after consulting your baby‘s pediatrician because allergic reactions to nuts and seeds are case-specific. Be cautious and note for signs and symptoms of allergy if you suspect it.
Nutritional Value Of Pumpkin
Pumpkin is low in fat and calories, but high in fiber and its mineral composition well-balanced. Here is a quick look at the nutritional value of pumpkin, fresh, cooked, and fat not added. Source: USDA (1)
Health Benefits Of Pumpkin For Babies
Note: Check with the doctor before introducing any new food. Generalities may not apply to your little one. If you want to try giving pumpkin to your baby, then do go for it as it is safe as well as healthful. However, you need to select the right kind of pumpkin for them.
How To Select Pumpkin For Babies?
As per the Environmental Research Organisation (EWG), pumpkins do not belong to the ‘dirty dozen’ foods that are severely contaminated with pesticides. So, purchasing an organic one is a personal choice. If you are buying an uncut pumpkin, select the one that is orange in color and without any cuts or soft spots. Go for one that is heavy for its size. Also, it should not be too ripe. Pick smaller, tender cooking pumpkins, which are also called sugar pumpkins or pie pumpkins. The smaller pumpkins are tender and less stringy than the larger ones. Sugar pumpkins are sweet and add flavor to baked foods and soups. If you are buying a packet of peeled and cut pumpkin, select the ones with deep orange color.
Can You Use Canned Pumpkin For The Baby?
Canned food is not ideal for babies. Always give fresh fruits and vegetables. Pumpkin pie mix should not be used for babies as it contains starch, sugars, and other additives.
How To Cook Pumpkin For Babies?
Rinse pumpkins in cold water, use a vegetable brush to scrub the skin to remove any dirt. Rinse again. Cut the pumpkin in half. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. If you have picked a pre-cut pumpkin, place it in a colander and rinse well with cold water. Cook immediately after cutting. Avoid prolonged cooking to preserve the nutritive value. Pumpkins may now be boiled, poached, steamed or baked
Baking Method
Brush each half with olive oil. Place them with skin-side down in a baking dish. Bake for nearly 45 minutes at 375oF, until it turns tender. Remove it from the oven and scoop the flesh into a bowl.
Boiling Method
Boil water in a medium saucepan. Cook diced pumpkin until tender. Drain and rinse the boiled pumpkin under cool water for about three minutes. Use cooked pumpkin immediately or store it in a freezer as cooked chunks or in the form of a puree. Cooked pumpkin may turn brownish orange. You may feed plain pumpkin to your baby in the form of a puree or mixed with homemade cereals or yogurt. A pumpkin weighing two pounds can be made into 28 ounces of puree. Offer baked pumpkin as finger foods to an older baby. Rub a bit of cinnamon and butter inside the pumpkin before baking, to make it tasty.
Healthy And Delicious Pumpkin Recipes For Babies
Here are a few healthy, delicious, and easy to make pumpkin baby food recipes you need to try:
1. Simple Pumpkin Puree
You can make 28 ounces of puree from a pumpkin of two-pound weight. You will need:
1 sugar pumpkin Water A pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg powder (optional) Butter (optional)
How to:
2. Apple And Pumpkin Puree
You will need:
1 sugar pumpkin 3 peeled and cored apples Water A pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg powder (optional)
How to:
3. Apple, Pumpkin And Oatmeal Breakfast Recipe
You will need:
½ cup of applesauce ½ cup of pumpkin puree 1½ cups of cooked oatmeal A pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg powder (optional)
How to:
4. Pumpkin Pancake
You will need:
1 cup of all-purpose flour 2tbsp brown sugar 2tbsp baking powder ½tbsp ginger paste ½tbsp cinnamon powder 1/8tbsp nutmeg powder A pinch of crushed cloves 1/8tbsp salt 1 cup of milk ½ cup of canned pumpkin ½tbsp vanilla extract 1 egg 2tbsp unsweetened applesauce Cooking spray
How to:
5. Creamy Pumpkin Soup
You will need:
3 cups of cubed red pumpkins ¼ cup of chopped onions ¼ cup of fresh cream 2tbsp butter Salt and pepper as per taste Water
For garnish:
2tbsp chopped spring onions (optional)
How to:
6. Pumpkin Custard
You will need:
750g peeled and cubed pumpkin 1½ cups of milk 2 eggs 1tbsp vanilla ½tbsp allspice powder 1tbsp cinnamon powder Water
For topping:
2tbsp brown sugar ½tbsp cinnamon powder ½tbsp allspice
How to:
7. Easy Pumpkin Dip
You will need:
250g boiled and mashed red pumpkin 1tbsp roasted and powdered peanuts or mixed nuts 1tbsp finely chopped coriander ½ cup of fresh yogurt 1tbsp sugar Salt to taste
How to:
8. Brown Rice Pumpkin Risotto
You will need:
4tbsp olive oil 4 cloves of minced garlic 2 minced shallots 1½ cup brown rice 2½ cup chicken broth ¼tbsp nutmeg powder ¼tbsp salt Fresh pepper powder for taste 1 cup of cooked pumpkin puree 2tbsp freshly chopped sage leaves ¼tbsp cinnamon powder 1 cup of grated cheese
How to:
9. Baked Pumpkin Mac N Cheese
You will need:
8oz uncooked pasta 1 cup of canned pumpkin 1 cup of cream 4tbsp cream cheese 1 cup of grated Cheddar Cheese ½ cup of grated cheese 1½tbsp pumpkin pie spice Sea salt as per taste Black pepper powder as per taste 1/3 cup of breadcrumbs ¼ cup of shredded Parmesan cheese Cooking spray Water
How to:
10. Pumpkin And Spinach Roti
You will need:
1 cup of grated red pumpkin 1 cup of chopped spinach 1 cup of whole wheat flour ½tbsp turmeric powder 1tbsp oil Salt to taste Butter
How to:
11. Pumpkin & Pear Puree
You will need:
½ cup pumpkin puree 1 pear, peeled & cored & diced
How to:
12. Pumpkin, Banana & Peaches
You will need:
½ cup pumpkin puree (fresh or canned) 1 pear – peeled, cored, diced 1 peach –peeled, pitted, diced
How to:
13. Brown Rice And Pumpkin Porridge
You will need:
½tbsp brown rice 1 cup water 120g seeded, skinned pumpkin
How to:
Tips
When you start introducing new foods to your baby, follow a few tips to keep your baby safe while they discover new flavors and textures:
Seek approval from a pediatrician before adding any new food to your darling’s meal. Introduce one new food at a time to check for any adverse reactions associated with that food. Do not introduce any new food if your baby is unwell or if they are on medication.
Try out the recipes for your baby. If you have some good pumpkin recipe for babies, do share them with us.
Four to six months: One to two tablespoons once or twice a day Seven months: Two to three tablespoons twice a day Eight months: Two to three tablespoons twice a day
