Winter wax pumpkin

Winter wax pumpkin or melon Benincasa hispida is a herbaceous plant from the genus Benincasa and the Pumpkin family. Currently, winter pumpkins are cultivated on an industrial scale to produce large enough edible fruits of the plant. Sometimes the length of the fruits of a winter wax pumpkin can reach up to 2 meters in length.

Scientists consider the Southeast Asia region to be the birthplace of the winter wax pumpkin. And nowadays, this species of plants can be found in a wild form in its natural habitat, growing in the tropical and subtropical climates of the countries of Southeast Asia. Waxy winter pumpkin or benincasa is of particular interest to culinary experts, since the fruits of this plant are able to maintain their distinctive taste and consumer properties for a long period of storage under normal conditions.

For example, winter wax pumpkin can be stored at room temperature for a fairly long time (up to 3 years). Breeders jokingly call wax pumpkin a "non-aging champion" among pumpkins for the ability of the plant's fruits to retain their unique natural properties for such a long time. The not fully ripened fruits of the winter wax pumpkin are distinguished by their velvety surface, which eventually becomes smooth and covered with natural wax coating.

The whole secret of the durability and "youth" of wax pumpkin, like other winter varieties of the plant, lies in this specific plaque, which serves as natural preservatives for the fruit of the plant. It is noteworthy that warm weather is required for the full ripening of wax pumpkin fruits. In China, winter pumpkin has long been incredibly popular, since this crop is one of the few vegetables available in the winter.

For this reason, the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire call the wax pumpkin winter melon. Winter pumpkin has found widespread use in cooking. The vegetable is used as well as the fruits of other varieties of the plant. Porridge and nutritious side dishes are made from winter pumpkin. Moreover, the fruits of the plant are used as a basis for preparing puree soups. Typically, winter pumpkin soups are served in an original plate carved from the plant's fruit.

In China, pumpkin is stewed with meat, usually beef or pork, as well as vegetables. Winter pumpkin is often used to prepare confectionery and sweets. For example, pumpkin sweets or táng dōng guā are prepared for the New Year's festival in China. Thanks to the winter pumpkin, the famous national Chinese recipe for a delicious pie called ǎopó bǐng or "Beloved" appeared.

The filling in this pie is, as you probably guessed it yourself, a winter wax pumpkin. In addition to China, winter pumpkin is popular and in demand in the Philippines, as well as North India and Pakistan. Wax winter pumpkin is considered an integral part of Indian folk medicine or ayurveda.