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Fig-leaved pumpkin has long been recognized in Russia. Breeders even bred a variety called Memory of Tarakanov. He passed the tests and was included in the State Register in 2013. Refers to mid-season, fruits ripen 115 days after germination. Suitable for gardening farms in all regions of the country.
The history of the creation of the variety
Ficifolia or fig-leaved pumpkin is native to South America. In nature, it grows in mountainous areas. Seeds of exotic pumpkin came to Europe about 3 centuries ago. Its fruits were used as a forage crop and for the preparation of culinary dishes.
There are not so many varieties of phycifolia. In Russia, there is only one - in Memory of Tarakanov. It differs from its wild counterpart in greater productivity - 8 fruits weighing up to 4 kg can be harvested from one bush. The pulp of varietal fig-leaved pumpkin is more tender, contains a lot of pectins (4.5%), and has a pleasant watermelon aroma. Ripe fruits are stored for only 9 months.
Detailed description
Fitsifolia is a herbaceous vine from the Pumpkin family. It is grown for the sake of fruits, seeds and young shoots. This variety is frost-resistant and can grow as a perennial plant in tropical climates. Its large green leaves are similar to figs, hence the common name.
Stems of fig-leaved pumpkin can reach 10 m in length, curly green leaves have small light spots, flowers are large, yellow. Cultivated in temperate climates as an annual crop.
The plant is photophilous, with a lack of sun, flowers and ovaries will not appear. Not only fruits and seeds are eaten, but also young shoots of fig-leaved pumpkin.
Description of fruits
Outwardly, the fruits of phycifolia are somewhat reminiscent of watermelons. They are green with a speckled color. Ripe fig-leaved pumpkin has a uniform light creamy skin color. Inside are black seeds.
Fig-leaved pumpkin can be stored from 9 months to 4 years due to the fact that its skin is very dense. Ficifolia is used for food. It tastes like zucchini. The pulp is creamy white, tender. Fully ripe fruits have a pleasant aroma and increased sweetness. Fig-leaved pumpkin is suitable for making jams, candied fruits, sweet desserts and jellies.
Variety characteristics
Fitcephaly or figurative pumpkin is unpretentious in care. When grown indoors, it does not form fruit. Differs in late fruiting, therefore it is grown only through seedlings. Other characteristics of the fig-leaved gourd:
- yield depends on the climate, in the Ural region 2-3 fruits are harvested from one plant, in southern latitudes - up to 10 pieces;
- Ficifolia is not crossed with other pumpkin crops;
- can be used as a stock for melons and watermelons;
- in a temperate climate, the weight of one fruit is 2-3 kg, in the southern regions it can reach 8 kg;
- leaves have a diameter of 25 cm, flowers - about 7 cm;
- the plant has strong immunity.
Ficifolia tolerates frosts down to -3 ° C, grows well in a wide temperature range (from +6 to +35 ° C).It has a well-developed root system, due to which it tolerates a lack of moisture.
Pest and disease resistance
Fig-leaved pumpkin is not susceptible to fungal diseases, thanks to its strong immunity, it resists pests well. For the prevention and prevention of problems in cultivation, it is necessary to observe the crop rotation. You can not plant the plant after other pumpkin crops and potatoes.
Advantages and disadvantages
Fitsifolia makes a good stock for watermelons, melons, cucumbers. This is not its only advantage, there are others:
- Unpretentiousness, good adaptation to the cool climate of temperate latitudes of Eurasia.
- Long-term storage of fruits. Thanks to their thick skin, they can lie in a cool, dry place for 3 years without losing their freshness and excellent taste.
- Universal use of the fruit. Desserts, vegetable stews, candied fruits, salads, casseroles are prepared from them.
- Benefit for health. Ficifolia contains a rich set of vitamins and mineral salts, healthy fiber, suitable for baby and diet food.
The disadvantages include a long vegetative period; in cold climates, the fruits do not have time to ripen. To obtain seeds, you need to grow seedlings.
The benefits and harms of fig-leaved pumpkin
You can appreciate the benefits of the fig-leaved pumpkin shown in the photo above in December. By this time, the seeds ripen, acquiring a black color, they can be collected, peeled from the pulp, and sown in March for seedlings.
Many tasty and healthy dishes are prepared from the pulp of phycifolia. It has healing properties, and it is used in dietary nutrition for such problems:
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- anemia;
- arthritis, arthrosis;
- allergy;
- gout;
- cholecystitis;
- diseases of the liver, kidneys, cardiovascular system;
- neuroses, depression.
The raw pulp of fig-leaved pumpkin is rarely used for food, since it is quite dense. Its use in a grated form is useful for obesity and diabetes mellitus. The glycemic index of the raw fruit is low, and the trace elements it contains can stimulate the production of insulin.
Lotions are also made from raw pulp when:
- skin diseases;
- burns;
- allergic dermatitis;
- psoriasis.
The seeds have an anthelmintic effect. Harm from fig-leaved pumpkin can only be in case of individual intolerance.
Growing technology
Ficifolia is a late fig-leaved pumpkin, so it needs to be grown through seedlings. Seed germination starts in April:
- The seeds are sown in a container filled with universal soil under glass.
- They are kept at high humidity and a temperature of +22 ° C.
- After the emergence of shoots, each seed is transplanted into a separate container, since pumpkin crops do not like picks.
- The air temperature is reduced for 5 days to +17 ° C.
- After 20-25 days of growing in a container, the phycifolia is ready for transplanting into open ground.
When the last frosts pass, in mid or late May, the fig-leaved pumpkin is planted in the garden. For seedlings, holes are made with a depth of 12 cm, so as not to damage the roots, they use the transshipment method. The plant can grow in any soil, but it develops better in a well-drained and fertile soil. The holes are placed at a distance of at least 1 m.
Ficifolia care includes timely watering, mulching, weeding, feeding. For better fruit filling, the lateral shoots are pinched after the formation of ovaries.
Is it possible to cook fig-leaved pumpkin
Ficifolia does not have a pronounced taste; it acquires the taste and aroma of the products with which it is cooked.This allows you to get interesting and tasty dishes from fig-leaved pumpkin, the recipes for which are easy to prepare.
Ficifolia stew
Ingredients:
- ficifolia - 1 pc.;
- soy sauce - 2 tbsp l .;
- dried herbs - 1 tbsp. l .;
- dried mushrooms, peppers, eggplants and cherry tomatoes - 50 g each;
- watercress to taste.
Preparation:
- Dried vegetables are washed and soaked in boiling water for 30 minutes.
- A fibrous core with seeds is cut out of the pumpkin; it will taste bitter when fried. Peel the skin.
- The pulp is cut into small cubes.
- If the pan is deep-fried, you do not need to add oil.
- The water is drained from the dried vegetables and cut into pieces.
- Put vegetables and phycifolia in a hot skillet.
- After 2 minutes add the soy sauce to taste and some water. Cover the pan with a lid for 15-20 minutes.
- Add spices to taste, if the water is all absorbed, add more boiling water, leave to simmer for another 20 minutes.
- At the end of cooking, try vegetables, salt to taste, put finely chopped greens.
Serve vegetable stew with boiled rice.
There are many recipes for cooking fig-leaved pumpkin - pancakes, casseroles, hot salads, marmalades. But especially interesting is the traditional Spanish dish "Angel hair" or ficifolia confiture.
Figleaf pumpkin jam recipe
Products:
- ficifolia pulp - 1 kg;
- lemon - 1 pc.;
- sugar - 1 kg;
- cinnamon sticks - 2 pcs.
Preparation:
- Fitsifolia, peeled from the peel and seeds, is cut into cubes and poured with boiling water.
- Cook over low heat for 15 minutes after boiling.
- Throw the pumpkin into a colander. When all the excess liquid has drained, stratify the pulp into fibers using a fork.
- Pumpkin pulp is placed in a high frying pan or cast iron, the same amount of sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice and zest is added.
- Stir occasionally, do not cover with a lid.
- When the phycifolia juice has evaporated, the confiture is ready, it will take 45-50 minutes.
Put the dessert in jars, sterilize for long-term storage. Pieces of zest and cinnamon sticks are thrown away.
Conclusion
Fig-leaved gourd is an interesting, exotic variety of the Pumpkin family that does not require complex maintenance. It must be grown through seedlings. It is best to plant in a well-lit area, in an area near a vertical support. The fruits can be stored for a long time. They are healthy and nutritious, suitable for preparing a variety of dishes - vegetable stews, sweet desserts and hot salads.
