Pumpkin is a vegetable related to squash. Pumpkin plants produce round or oval fruits, also called pumpkins, that have hard shells and coarse, stringy pulp. A central cavity within the fruit holds the seeds. Most pumpkins weigh from 5 to 30 pounds (2.3 to 14 kilograms). But some may weigh more than 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms). The majority of pumpkins are orange, but many pumpkins are white, yellow, or other colors.
Pumpkins are rich in vitamin A and potassium. People cook pumpkins in various ways, especially in pumpkin pie. Pumpkin seeds, a popular snack, provide protein and iron. Especially popular are the hull-less seeds that do not have a hard coat or outer shell. In the United States, people of all ages enjoy carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns to celebrate Halloween.
Pumpkin plants have large, prickly leaves and produce male and female flowers. Only the male pumpkin blossoms have pollen that is transferred by bees to the female flowers. Pollinated female blossoms develop into pumpkins. But each female flower opens for pollination for only one day. In addition, most pumpkin blossoms are male. As a result, few flowers actually produce pumpkins.
Pumpkins grow on vines and bushes. Those on vines are planted in mounds about 12 feet (3.7 meters) apart. Bush varieties are spaced closer together. Pumpkin plants need careful cultivation to produce healthy fruit. The plants thrive in slightly acid soil, and most of them mature about four months after the seeds are planted. Ripe pumpkins that are well developed can be stored at 40 to 50 °F (4 to 10 °C) for several months.
Pumpkins probably originated in North America. Seeds from related plants dating back to 7000 to 5500 B.C. have been found in Mexico. Today in the United States, California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are among the top pumpkin-growing states. Illinois is the leading producer of canned and processed pumpkin products. It produces about half of all canned pumpkin in the United States.
See also Gourd; Jack-o’-lantern; Squash.
