A vegetable puree is the basis of many delicious soups, such as pumpkin soup, but it can also become a tasty sauce for pasta. Its preparation is a task that every parent has to face when weaning their baby. The vegetables that are best suited for mashing are tubers which have a firm and non-watery pulp.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Steam the Vegetables to Soften them
Steaming is best for preserving the nutrients of vegetables; boiling, on the other hand, destroys several vitamins.
Step 1. Bring 500-1500ml of water to a boil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven
Step 2. Peel the vegetables with a curved knife or potato peeler
Step 3. Cut the ends of each vegetable with a knife
Step 4. Slice the vegetables finely so they cook faster and more evenly
Step 5. Place a steamer basket on top of the pan and add the lid
Steam the vegetables for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Avoid overfilling the basket.
Step 6. Remove the vegetables from the basket with a slotted spoon or stainless steel strainer
Step 7. Place the cooked vegetables in a large bowl
Step 8. Continue to cook them in batches until they are all ready to blend
Method 2 of 5: Boil the vegetables to soften them
If you don't have a steamer basket, then you will need to boil the vegetables.
Step 1. Bring 500-1500ml of water to a boil in a large pot or Dutch oven
Step 2. Peel the vegetables and cut both ends
Step 3. Finely slice the vegetables
Step 4. Put them in boiling water and cook for 15 minutes or until tender (try piercing them with a fork)
Don't overfill the pot.
Step 5. Continue to cook the vegetables in batches until they are all ready to blend
Method 3 of 5: Using a Blender or Food Processor
Step 1. Assemble the appliance and connect it to the mains
Step 2. Take a cup of vegetables from the bowl you placed them in after cooking and pour it into the blender / robot
Step 3. Blend the vegetables in batches
For best results, do not blend large quantities in one go.
Step 4. Remove the puree from the blender or robot and place it in a separate container
Add it to your recipe or save it for later use.
Method 4 of 5: Use a vegetable mill
A vegetable mill is a kind of bowl with a perforated bottom in which a blade is attached. When you turn the handle (and therefore the blade) the soft vegetables are crushed and forced to pass through the holes creating a puree.
Step 1. Place a large bowl on top of the kitchen counter
You will need it to collect the puree that falls from the bottom of the blender.
Step 2. Add a cup of softened vegetables to the blender
It is not necessary to peel the vegetables beforehand, as the perforated bottom acts as a filter. With this method you will have the opportunity to throw the peels away at a later time.
Step 3. Rotate the handle clockwise with your dominant hand while the other holds the tool still
The mashed vegetables will fall through the holes in the bottom inside the bowl.
Step 4. Remove the seeds and skins that are left in the blender
Step 5. Repeat the operation until all the vegetables are transformed into a puree
Method 5 of 5: Using a Hand Blender
A hand blender is capable of processing vegetables directly in the bowl or pot you cooked them in.
Step 1. Place the blender in the container so that the blade is 2.5cm below the surface
If you lift it above the level of the vegetables, they will splash everywhere.
Step 2. Turn on the blender
Move it to reach all the vegetables present in a circular motion. Keep working until all the pieces are pureed.
Step 3. Turn off the blender while it is still below the surface of the vegetables to avoid splashing
When the blade is stationary, lift the appliance and set the puree aside.
Advice
Do not put potatoes or other starchy vegetables in a blender or food processor, otherwise it will create a sticky dough. Mash them by hand or mix them with a planetary mixer
Warnings
- Hot vegetables emit a lot of steam when blended in the blender. If you want to use this appliance, wait until the vegetables have cooled down a bit, otherwise the steam pressure will blow the lid off.
- When making vegetable puree for children, choose organically grown, pesticide-free vegetables. Also, your hands and kitchen tools need to be clean as much as possible to avoid food poisoning.
