It’s All about the Pumpkin!

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As the leaves begin to change and the boots come out of the closet, we start looking forward to pumpkin spice and everything nice. Each year when September rolls around, you can find almost anything in pumpkin flavor. From coffee to donuts to even pumpkin spice cheerios, it’s the time of year where people go crazy for pumpkin foods.

Growing/Harvesting

As most of you might have guessed, pumpkins are ready to harvest around late September to early October. This means that the best time to plant the seeds are sometime between May to July. May in the northern regions, and July if you go further south where it’s warmer. The timing of planting is key to having a good harvest for those Halloween decorations. If they’re planted too early, then the pumpkins could rot before October.

The great thing about pumpkins is there is no special way they have to be harvested. If you visit a pumpkin patch, you will find a field of pumpkins ready to be transformed into the next elaborate jack-o’-lantern and can be picked from a little kid or an adventurous adult. Pumpkins are best harvested when they’re a deep orange color, for most varieties, and should be picked before the first frost.

Nutritional Aspects

Pumpkins are filled with amazing antioxidants and beta-carotenes from their rich orange color, which is converted to vitamin A. Pumpkin seeds are rich in protein and can be turned into edible oil, which provides a great amount of oleic acid. Aside from the nutritional aspects of pumpkin, this amazing fruit can be used in just about everything!

Pumpkins vs. Squash

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Although most people refer to pumpkins when they’re talking about decorations and a delicious addition to their dishes, pumpkins are only one piece of the squash world. Squash comes from the genus Cucurbita and has multiple varieties and are broken down into summer squash and winter squash. Pumpkins are in the winter squash group and are actually not what makes up canned pumpkin. Here in the United States, the term “pumpkin” refers to varieties C. pepo and C. maxima and are better used as decorations than for eating. Most canned pumpkin includes squash, such as cultivars of Cucurbita moschata which are cousins of butternut squash, because it adds a better flavor than pumpkin. Whether it’s pumpkin or squash, enjoy the changing leaves and grab a hot drink because winter will creep up sooner than you think.

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Latte (serves 1)