Skip to Content

Pumpkins

For the purists, we do know that pumpkins are technically hard-rind squash. However, not everyone knows that, so we made them into a separate item here!

Pumpkins are native to North America and are one of the most popular crops in the U.S. Americans produce about 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins a year, at an average weight of 9-18 pounds each. The world record for the largest pumpkin was set in 2009 with a 1,810 pound pumpkin! (Read more about pumpkins on Wikipedia.)

Pumpkins are an excellent source of vitamins A, C and E, riboflavin, copper, potassium, and manganese. One cup mashed provides only 49 calories and 245% of the recommended daily value for vitamin A! The high amounts of beta-carotene in pumpkins may reduce the risk of developing certain cancers and also prevent against heart disease. (See more pumpkin nutrition facts on Self.com.)

Pumpkins can be stored for up to a month in a cool, dry environment (they'll go a bit more quickly than other hard-rind squash like butternut).

Summertime