pumpkin

Pumpkin is a group of cultivars grown for large, round, orange fruit and is commonly associated with autumn harvests. In many markets, pumpkin refers to varieties from the species Cucurbita pepo, though some ornamental or culinary pumpkins come from other species such as Cucurbita maxima.

The fruit is typically round to slightly oblong, with a hard rind and thick, sweet flesh that ranges from pale to deep orange. The rind can be orange, yellow, or green, depending on the cultivar. The plant is a sprawling annual vine with large leaves, flowers, and tendrils. Fruit development occurs after pollination by bees.

Originating in North America, pumpkins were cultivated by Indigenous peoples long before European contact. By the colonial period in North America, pumpkins were widely grown for food. The modern jack-o’-lantern tradition in some regions stems from a practice of carving root vegetables in Ireland and the British Isles; pumpkins later became a popular substitute due to their size and ease of carving.

Cultivation requires warm weather, full sun, and well-drained soil. Seeds are sown after the danger of frost, with vines allowed to spread or trained along trellises. Successful fruit set depends on pollination; common pests include cucumber beetles and squash vine borers. Pumpkins are typically harvested when the rind is hard and the stem dries.

Uses include cooking and baking (pied, soups, purées, sauces), roasted or raw seeds (pepitas), and ornamental carving. Nutritionally, pumpkins are low in fat and calories while providing dietary fiber and beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. They store well and can be canned, frozen, or dried for extended use.