Can You Eat Pumpkin Leaves | Pumpkin Leaves Health Benefits

Can You Eat Pumpkin Leaves like you eat pumpkin? Is it healthy? Can it make for a good veggie? Find out all the information in the article!

Can You Eat Pumpkin Leaves? Well, the direct answer to that question is yes! You can! In fact, all parts of the pumpkin are said to be edible including flowers, fruit, seeds, leaves, and even stems. The tender leaves are cooked like spinach or green leafy veggies and relished as a staple in the meals.

Have a look at the best pumpkin varieties in India here 

How do Pumpkin Leaves Look Like

Pumpkin leaves are broad, flat, and moderate green in appearance. Both the leaves and stems are covered with fibrous spiny strands that have to be removed before cooking.

How do Pumpkin Leaves Taste

The young leaves have comparatively lower bitterness and taste sweeter like a mixed flavor of green beans, broccoli, and spinach. The mature leaves taste a little bitter. The leafy and bitter flavor of leaves tone down further upon cooking and taste somewhat like turnip greens or spinach.

How to Harvest Pumpkin Leaves

Always opt for the young and tender leaves. Do not cut back the growing tip while harvesting the leaves. Also, avoid harvesting mature or old leaves as they turn fibrous and bitter with age.

How to Cook Pumpkin Leaves

Was the leaves and stems properly and remove the outer layer. Once your pumpkin leaves are all prepped, chop them and use them in your stews, sautees, or even soups arbitrarily. You can also simmer them with tomatoes and garlic in olive oil or add them to the pasta with other spicy ingredients.

You can consume the leaves raw with some salt seasoning. They can also be a great addition to leafy salads. Some of the pumpkin leaves recipe you can try:

1. Pumpkin leaf subzi
2. Leaves stir fry
3. Pumpkin Stem and Leaves Curry

Health Benefits of Pumpkin Leaves

1. Pumpkin leaves are high in Vitamin- A, C, E, B2, and K that are a boon for healthy hair, teeth, bones, and skin.
2. The leaves are low in sodium and cholesterol, making them an ideal veggie for all age groups.
3. They are rich in calcium, iron, potassium, and manganese that keep chronic diseases at bay.
4. The leaves have plenty of dietary fibers and essential minerals that are beneficial for the immune and digestive system.