Pumpkin

Pumpkin is the common name for large-fruited varieties of several species of trailing and climbing plants of the genus Cucurbita, characterized by a round, pulpy, orange or orange-yellow fruit with a thick rind. In particular, it applies to various varieties of Cucurbita pepo, but also can refer to cultivars of C. moschata, C. mixta, and C. maxima. The term pumpkin also refers to the large, edible, globe-shaped fruit, which is a popular vegetable. Cucurbita belongs to the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae, which also includes squash, watermelon, and muskmelon.

Description

Pumpkins are members of the genus Cucurbita of the family Cucurbitaceae. Members of the Cucurbitaceae commonly are known as melons, gourds, or cucurbits, and includes crops like cucumbers, squashes (including pumpkins), luffas, melons, and watermelons. The stems are hairy and pentangular, leaves are exstipulate alternate simple, palmately lobed or palmately compound, and tendrils are present at 90° to the leaf petioles at nodes. The flowers are unisexual, with male and female flowers usually on different plants (dioecious), or less common on the same plant (monoecious). The female flowers have inferior ovaries. The fruit is often a kind of berry called a pepo.

A pumpkin stem

The term pumpkin commonly applies to particular varieties within the genus Cucurbita, whose members may more generally be known as squash. It is a common name for cultivars of any one of the following species: Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita mixta, Cucurbita maxima, and Cucurbita moschata. In particular, it is used to apply for the long-trailing species with large, round, orange-colored fruit, while the non-trailing, smaller varieties are known as squash. The distinction between squash and pumpkin is not a botanical distinction. Since some squash share the same botanical classifications as pumpkins, the names are frequently used interchangeably. In general, pumpkins have stems which are firmer, more rigid, pricklier, have a +/- 5 degree angle, and are squarer in shape than squash stems, which are generally softer, more rounded, and more flared where joined to the fruit (Van Nostrand 1995; Enclopedia Americana 1992).

The fruit, also known as pumpkins, range in size, shape, color, and appearance (Orzolek et al. 2000). They range in size from less than five pounds to varieties over 40 to 60 pounds (18 to 27 kilograms) (Orzolek et al. 2000). Some get very large: As of 2007, the world record for pumpkins was 1689 pounds (767.7 pounds) (PumpkinNook 2007). Typically, pumpkins are globe-shaped, but may be oblong. The rind may be smooth or ribbed. Pumpkins typically are orange or orange-yellow, although fruits may be dark green, pale green, orange-yellow, white, red and gray (PumpkinNook 2008).

Pumpkins are monoecious, having both male and female flowers, the latter distinguished by the small ovary at the base of the petals. These bright and colorful flowers have extremely short life spans, and may only open for as short a time as one day.

The word pumpkin originates from the word "pepon," which is Greek for "large melon." The French adapted this word to "pompon," which the English changed to "pompion" and later American colonists changed that to the word we use today, "pumpkin" (PP 2007). Pumpkins originated in the Americas. Stem, seed, and fruit fragments have been recovered and identified from cliff dweller ruins in southwestern United States (Orzolek et al. 2000). Some varieties are believed to have originated in Mexico and Central America, and others in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia (Orzolek et al. 2000). The oldest evidence, pumpkin-related seeds dating between 7000 and 5500 B.C.E., were found in Mexico (PP 2007). Some varieties may have been cultivated since at least 3500 B.C.E. (Orzolek et al. 2000).

Cultivation and production

Pumpkins growing in a field

Pumpkin field

Although native to the Western hemisphere, pumpkins are grown all around the world for a variety of reasons ranging from agricultural purposes (animal feed) to commercial and ornamental sales (Wolford and Banks 2008). Out of the seven continents only Antarctica is unable to produce pumpkins. The biggest international producers of pumpkins include the United States, Mexico, India, and China (PP 2007; WHF 2008).

As one of the most popular crops in the United States, 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are produced each year (Orzolek et al. 2000). The top pumpkin producing states in the United States include Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California (Wolford and Banks 2008). The traditional American pumpkin is the Connecticut Field variety (PP 2007).

Pumpkins are a warm weather crop that are usually planted in early July in North America. The specific conditions necessary for growing pumpkins require that soil temperatures at at depth of three inches be at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and that the soil be a type that holds water well. Pumpkin crops may suffer if there is a lack of water or due to cold temperatures (in this case, below 65 degrees; frost can be detrimental), and sandy soil or soil with poor water filtration. Pumpkins are, however, rather hardy and even if many ;leaves and portions of the vine are removed or damaged, the plant can very quickly re-grow secondary vines to replace what was removed (Orzolek et al. 2000).

Pumpkins produce both a male and female flowers; honeybees play a significant role in fertilization (Orzolek et al. 2000). Pumpkins have historically been pollinated by the native squash bee Peponapis pruinosa, but this bee has declined, probably due to pesticide sensitivity, and today most commercial plantings are pollinated by honeybees. One hive per acre (4,000 m² per hive) is recommended by the United States of America (US) Department of Agriculture. If there are inadequate bees for pollination, gardeners often have to hand pollinate. Inadequately pollinated pumpkins usually start growing but abort before full development. An opportunistic fungus also is sometimes blamed for abortions.

Giant Pumpkins

The largest pumpkins are cultivars of Cucurbita maxima. They were cultivated from the Hubbard squash genotype, crossed with kabocha-pumpkin types by enthusiast farmers through intermittent effort since the early 1800s. As such germplasm is commercially provocative, a U.S. legal right was granted for the rounder phenotypes, levying them as constituting a variety, with the appellation "Atlantic Giant." This phenotype has graduated back into the public domain, except now it had the name Atlantic Giant on its record (see USDA PVP # 8500204).

“Weigh-off” competitions for giant pumpkins are a popular festival activity. Until 1981, 460 pounds held the world record for the largest pumpkin. At that time, Howard Dill(of Nova Scotia) broke the record with a pumpkin near 500 pounds. Dill patented the seeds used to grow this giant pumpkin, deeming them Dill’s Atlantic Giant seeds, and drawing growers from around the world. Howard Dill is accredited for all of the giant pumpkins today, most of which are borne from crossing and re-crossing his patented seed with other varieties (Raver 2007). By 1994, the Giant Pumpkin crossed the 1000 pound mark. In September 2007, Joe Jutras (of Rhode Island) obtained the title of grower of the world’s largest pumpkin with a 1,689 pound, cream colored fruit (BP 2007). He is currently said to be working on producing a giant orange pumpkin, as orange pumpkins tend to be smaller and have thinner shells, but are more desirable in appearance (Raver 2007).

Uses

Cooking

Pumpkin, raw Nutritional value per 100 g
Energy 10 kcal   60 kJ
Carbohydrates     6.5 g - Sugars  1.36 g - Dietary fiber  0.5 g   Fat 0.1 g - saturated  0.05 g - monounsaturated  0.01 g   - polyunsaturated  0.01 g   Protein 1.0 g Vitamin A  369 μg 41% Thiamin (Vit. B1)  0.05 mg   4% Riboflavin (Vit. B2)  0.110 mg   7% Niacin (Vit. B3)  0.6 mg   4% Pantothenic acid (B5)  0.298 mg  6% Vitamin B6  0.061 mg 5% Folate (Vit. B9)  16 μg  4% Vitamin C  9 mg 15% Vitamin E  1.06 mg 7% Calcium  21 mg 2% Iron  0.8 mg 6% Magnesium  12 mg 3%  Phosphorus  44 mg 6% Potassium  340 mg   7% Sodium  1 mg 0% Zinc  0.32 mg 3%
Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient database

The main nutrients are lutein, and both alpha- and beta- carotene, the latter of which generates vitamin A in the body.

Pumpkins are very versatile in their uses for cooking, from the fleshy shell, to the seeds, to even the flowers, most parts of the pumpkin are edible. Traditionally, pumpkin is a very popular Halloween and Thanksgiving staple. Although most people use store bought canned pumpkin, home-made pumpkin puree can serve the same purpose.

When ripe, the pumpkin can be boiled, baked, steamed, or roasted. Often, it is made into various kinds of pie which is a traditional staple of the Canadian and American Thanksgiving holiday. Pumpkins that are still small and green may be eaten in the same way as the vegetable marrow/zucchini. Pumpkins can also be eaten mashed or incorporated into soup. In the Middle East, pumpkin is used for sweet dishes; a well-known sweet delicacy is called halawa yaqtin. In South Asian countries like India, pumpkin is cooked with butter, sugar, and spices; this dish is called kadu ka halwa. In Guangxi province, China, the leaves of the pumpkin plant are consumed as a cooked vegetable or in soups. In Australia, pumpkin is often roasted in conjunction with other vegetables. In Japan, small pumpkins are served in savory dishes, including tempura. In Thailand, small pumpkins are steamed with custard inside and served as a dessert. In Italy it can be used, with cheeses, as a savory stuffing for ravioli.^{[citation needed]} And also, pumpkin can be used to flavor both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

Pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are small, flat, green, edible seeds. Most pumpkin seeds are covered by a white husk, although some pumpkin varieties produce seeds without them. Pumpkin seeds are a popular snack that can be found hulled or semi-hulled at most grocery stores, however, roasting pumpkin seeds (usually scooped out of jack-o-lanterns) is a popular Halloween treat. Pumpkin seeds have many health benefits, some of which include a good source of protein, zinc and other vitamins, and are even said to lower cholesterol. One gram of pumpkin seed protein contains as much tryptophan as a full glass of milk.

Pumpkin seed oil

Pumpkin seed oil is a thick, green oil that is produced from roasted pumpkin seeds. When used for cooking or as a salad dressing, pumpkin seed oil is generally mixed with other oils because of its robust flavor. It is used in cooking in central and eastern Europe, and long believed to be a folk remedy for prostate problems, has in fact been shown to combat benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Activities involving pumpkins

Halloween

A pumpkin carved into a Jack-o'-lantern for Halloween.

Pumpkins are commonly carved into decorative lanterns called jack-o'-lanterns for the Halloween season in North America. Throughout Britain and Ireland, there is a long tradition of carving lanterns from vegetables, particularly the turnip, mangelwurzel, or swede. But not until 1837 does jack-o'-lantern appear as a term for a carved vegetable lantern, and the carved lantern does not become associated specifically with Halloween until 1866. Significantly, both occurred not in Britain or Ireland, but in North America. Historian David J. Skal writes,

Although every modern chronicle of the holiday repeats the claim that vegetable lanterns were a time-honored component of Halloween celebrations in the British Isles, none gives any primary documentation. In fact, none of the major nineteenth-century chronicles of British holidays and folk customs make any mention whatsoever of carved lanterns in connection with Halloween. Neither do any of the standard works of the early twentieth century.

In America, the carved pumpkin was first associated with the harvest season in general, long before it became an emblem of Halloween.

Chucking

Pumpkin chucking is a competitive activity in which teams build various mechanical devices designed to throw a pumpkin as far as possible. Catapults, trebuchets, ballistas and air cannons are the most common mechanisms. Some pumpkin chuckers breed and grow special varieties of pumpkin under specialized conditions in order to improve the pumpkin's chances of surviving a throw.

Pumpkin festivals and competitions

Competitive Weight Pumpkins

Pumpkin growers often compete to see whose pumpkins are the most massive. Festivals are often dedicated to the pumpkin and these competitions.

Circleville, Ohio, holds a big festival each year, the Circleville Pumpkin Show. Half Moon Bay, California, holds the annual Pumpkin and Arts Festival, drawing over 250,000 visitors each year and including the World Champion Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Farmers from all over the west compete to determine who can grow the greatest gourd. The winning pumpkin regularly tops the scale at more than 1200 pounds. The world record pumpkin in 2007 was 1689 pounds, grown by Joe Jutras in Topsfield, Massachusetts.

Morton, Illinois, the self-declared pumpkin capital of the world, has held a Pumpkin Festival since 1966. The town, where Nestlé's pumpkin packing plant is located (and where 90% of canned pumpkins eaten in the US are processed) carved and lit pumpkins in one place, a record which the town held for several years before losing it to Boston, Massachusetts in 2006. A large contributor of pumpkins to the festival is local Keene State College which hosts an event called "Pumpkin Lobotomy" on their main quad. Usually held the day before the festival itself, Pumpkin Lobotomy has the air of a large party, with the school providing pumpkins and carving instruments alike (though some students prefer to use their own) and music provided by college radio station, WKNH.

Gallery

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  Pumpkin attached to a stalk

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  Common "Giant" Pumpkin variety

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  Immature Female Pumpkin Flower

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  Male Pumpkin Flower (Open)

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  Painted mini pumpkins on display in Ottawa, Canada

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  A few of the tens of thousands of pumpkins on display at the 2000 Keene Pumpkin Fest

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

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http://pumpkinnook.com/giants/giantpumpkins.htm World record giant pumpkin PumpkinNook 2007

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• Pumpkin seeds on The worlds Healthiest Foods, The George Mateljan Foundation.
• Illinois Leads Nation in Pumpkin Production, Illinois Department of Agriculture.
• The Largest Pumpkin Ever, bigpumpkins.com.
• Keene Pumpkin Festival, list of world records.

External links

• Squash Display at Missouri Botanical Garden - Pics of 150 varieties from The Great Pumpkin Patch, Arthur, IL
• Pumpkin Varieties - backyardgardener.com, site focused on North-Eastern U.S.
• April 2004 – In season describes several varieties available in Australia.
• Pumpkins - Lots and lots of Varieties! - American pumpkin varieties, arranged by species.
• Pumpkin Recipes - Recipe suggestions for pumpkins.
• Pumpkin Carving

Credits

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