Description of the pepino fruit. What chemical compounds it contains and what calorie content it has. Useful properties of the plant. Is there any harm to abuse and what contraindications exist for use. Culinary recipes for dishes with pepino. Interesting facts about the fruit. Pepino contains carotene, which is responsible for the healthy state of the epidermis, hair and nails, stimulates the regeneration of vulnerable areas on the body, protects the mucous membrane from negative effects, normalizes the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, and regulates the growth of connective tissues.
Useful properties of pepino
The inclusion of pepino in the diet allows at all levels to improve health and establish many processes. Biologically active components contained in the plant have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the thyroid gland, stabilize blood pressure.
The benefits of pepino and the dishes to which it is added are due to the harmonious combination of vitamins and minerals:
- Prevention of cardiovascular diseases … The microcirculation of blood and its rheological properties are improved, intercellular exchanges are stabilized, the walls of the vessels become elastic and do not deform, the development of varicose veins, myocardial infarction, anemia, arrhythmia, atherosclerosis and angina pectoris is prevented.
- Normalization of kidney and liver function … Due to the presence of pectin substances, regenerative processes are accelerated, and the mucous membrane is restored faster, the development of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis is prevented.
- Fights Diabetes … The plant contains natural sugar substitutes. Fatigue decreases, efficiency increases, insulin is maintained normal, skin irritation disappears.
- Improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract … Since the fruit has a low acidity, it does not harm the mucous membrane. Metabolic processes improve, problems with stool disappear, nutrients are absorbed faster, intestinal microflora normalizes.
- Fight against cancer … Pepino contains anthocyanins, which help to reduce inflammatory reactions, improve intestinal barrier properties and prevent the development of cancerous tumors.
- Antioxidant properties … Protected from the harmful effects of cell membranes, increases resistance to inflammatory, infectious, fungal and viral diseases.
- Sedative properties … Irritability decreases, emotional stress is relieved, sleep is normalized and the body is replenished with vital energy.
- Acceleration of regeneration of vulnerable skin areas … The components of pepino have a beneficial effect on blood clotting and disinfect wounds.
Also, the plant helps with rheumatism, stabilizes the work of the musculoskeletal system. Pepino is often included in the dietary menu, since it is famous for accelerating metabolic processes and removing toxic substances from the body.
Harm and contraindications to the use of pepino
Each product, if consumed excessively, can harm the body. Pepino is no exception. Frequent inclusion of fruit in the diet can provoke disruptions in the body.
Consequences of abuse of pepino:
- The manifestation of allergic reactions - itching, irritability, swelling of the mucous membranes, conjunctivitis, runny nose, headaches, fainting, digestive disorders, constipation, flatulence, inflammation of the duodenum, weakening of the immune system.
- Frequent urination - pepino components have the ability to increase the tone of the bladder, accelerate metabolic processes. There is a risk of calcium leaching from the body.
- Acute hypervitaminosis - the fruit contains a large percentage of vitamin A, which can cause intoxication, destruction of bone and cartilage tissue, and deterioration of the skin.
Also, the fruit should not be abused by epileptics, as there is a risk of an attack and muscle cramps. But the uniqueness of this plant lies in the fact that it practically does not have any special restrictions. Absolute contraindications for pepino:
- Individual intolerance to certain chemical components - since the fruit is exotic, allergic manifestations may occur.
- Pregnancy and lactation - there is a risk that pepino will adversely affect the child.
- Gallstone disease - the temperature rises, there is heaviness in the right hypochondrium, nausea and vomiting of bile.
Before eating pepino, it is recommended to undergo a complete examination and consult with a qualified professional. This will allow you to find out if you have an intolerance to this product.
Pepino recipes
The inclusion of pepino in food determines its piquancy and pleasant melon aroma. The fruit goes well with meat, fish, berries and vegetables. It can be pickled, baked, dried, canned, and cooked.
There are the following recipes for pepino, characterized by sweet and sour notes and low calorie content:
- Pepino soup … First, squeeze the juice from 3 oranges and pour into a container. The pepino is peeled, cored and diced. Add 30 grams of shortbread cookies to the ingredients and beat with a blender. Sprinkle the finished soup with ground cinnamon and garnish with a lemon wedge.
- Chicken and Pepino Salad … One chicken fillet is thoroughly washed, cut into small slices and mixed with black pepper and salt. The meat is fried until cooked in vegetable oil. A head of fresh salad is cut into thin strips and spread on a wide platter. Half a kilogram of pepino pulp is chopped into cubes, and a handful of almond petals are dried in a non-fat frying pan. Then all the ingredients are mixed. Then, in a separate container, make a dressing. Chop a small red onion, add 3 tablespoons of olive oil, a tablespoon of lemon juice, a pinch of sugar and black pepper, 2 teaspoons of salt and a tablespoon of cream. The resulting dressing is poured over the salad and served.
- Trout and pepino carpaccio … Pass the ginger root through a fine grater and mix it with 60 ml of lemon juice. Cut 200 grams of trout into thin layers and spread over a plate with ready-made marinade. In a separate container, a bunch of mint is combined with a tablespoon of olive oil and 30 grams of crushed pine nuts. The resulting sauce is poured over the carpaccio. Pepino is peeled, removed from the core. The pulp is cut into thin slices, which must be rolled into balls and put on a dish. 200 grams of mozzarella are added to the ingredients. Top of the carpaccio is decorated with a lemon wedge and crushed with mint leaves.
- Diet salad with pepino and chicken … The marinade is made first. Cut red onions into rings, salt and pepper to taste, pour 500 ml of carbonated mineral water and place chicken fillet beaten with a hammer there. The ingredients are covered with cling film and refrigerated for 2 hours. Then the breast is dried with paper towels, placed in an oiled baking dish and placed in the oven for 15-20 minutes at a temperature of 175 ° C. Cut the finished meat and 100 grams of pepino pulp into pieces. Mix 150 grams of strawberries with a blender. The dish is covered with lettuce leaves, chopped meat with pepino, poured with strawberry dressing and garnished with grated Grana Padano cheese.
- Pancakes with pepino … Mix 2 chicken eggs with two tablespoons of sugar, add 100 grams of sour cream, half a teaspoon of dry yeast and 15 ml of vegetable oil. Begin to beat the ingredients with a blender, gradually pouring a glass of flour and chopped pepino pulp onto them. The dough is covered with cling film and placed in the refrigerator for an hour. On a preheated and well-oiled frying pan, they begin to spread the pancakes with tablespoons and cook until a golden crust appears.
- Fried pepino … Pepino is peeled and core, the pulp is cut into cubes. In a container, combine a glass of wheat flour, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, 1/4 cup of water, half a teaspoon of salt and a thinly chopped bunch of shallots. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of vegetable oil to a boil and fry the pepino in it for several minutes. The fried fruit is combined with the rest of the ingredients and decorated with mint leaves.
- Home wine … Squeeze out 10 liters of pepino juice, pour it into a glass bottle. To it add half a kilogram of sugar and 200 grams of yeast dissolved in filtered water. To enhance fermentation, you can pour in a wine sourdough. A medical glove is put on the neck of the bottle. Over time, it will begin to swell from the accumulated gases. The liquid should stand in a cold place for 5-6 weeks. Then the wine is filtered, more sugar is added to taste and bottled.
- Curd casserole with pepino … Half a kilogram of cottage cheese is mixed with a glass of fat sour cream and 150 g of sugar. Then three chicken eggs are driven into the mass, 3 tablespoons of semolina and 2 tablespoons of wheat flour are added. The ingredients are mixed. Cut the pepino pulp into small cubes and simmer for several minutes over low heat along with 2 tablespoons of sugar. Next, the curd-sour cream mass is poured into a paper baking dish, the next layer is stewed fruit, and then the remaining dough is added. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes at a temperature of 180 ° C.
- Ice cream cake … 300 grams of vanilla crackers are crushed and combined with 150 grams of softened butter. 150 grams of milk chocolate is melted, mixed with one tablespoon of brandy and cooled. All ingredients are mixed and covered with cling film. A kilogram of pepino pulp and 400 grams of condensed milk are whipped with a blender. In a separate container, whip 300 ml of 33% cream to a stable foam and then combine with the mousse. Put the cake in a baking dish, pour the cream onto it and put it in the refrigerator for several hours. Garnish with white chocolate chips and almond petals before serving.
In Japanese and American cuisine, pepino is often used fresh for salads and desserts, while sauces and soups are prepared in New Zealand. The fruit also makes excellent jams, preserves and compotes.
Interesting facts about Pepino
During archaeological excavations in Peru, ancient vessels were found dating back to the 1st millennium BC. They contained the remains of pepino. It is assumed that the fruit was used by the Incas in ritual activities.
The melon pear appeared in European countries in 1785. The fruit appeared in the Russian Empire in 1885, and Alexander III issued a decree on its cultivation.
The closest relatives of pepino are eggplants, potatoes and tomatoes. The most common sweet cucumber varieties are Consuelo and Ramses. Unlike many nightshade crops, the melon pear grows exclusively in height.
The fruit is stored for 5-7 weeks at a temperature of + 10-15 ° C.
Pepino contains 93% water, therefore it is often added to the diet.
Watch a video about Pepino's melon pear:
If you follow the measures in the use of dishes that include a melon pear, you can significantly improve your health and increase the protective function of the body.