General Information
Encased in a moderately hard shell, the thick edible flesh of the pumpkin harbors a central multi-seed cavity. Pumpkins come in many different shapes and sizes. Their bright orange skin can be smooth, bumpy or vertically lined with ridges. Their flesh is orange and typically offers a sweet mild flavor, however some varieties bread specifically for carving will be bland and fibrous.
History
Native to Central America, growers through the years have cross-pollinated different varieties of pumpkins to create new cultivars. The Native Americans often grew pumpkin and squash with corn and beans, a process they called, “the three sisters”. By growing in this method each plant supports the other thereby producing a better yield. The word pumpkin is derived from pepon, a Greek word meaning “a large melon”. The French called it pompon and the English pumpion.
