As you start incorporating more pumpkin into your fall recipes and learning about their health benefits, don’t forget to learn more about pumpkins themselves.
You can even teach these facts to your kids to get them more interested in the healthy pumpkin meals you put together.
Pumpkins are a Type of Fruit
Definitely one of the more surprising facts about pumpkins is that they are fruit, not vegetables. Many people consider pumpkins to be a vegetable, along with squash and other gourds, but it is in fact a fruit. Fruits are typically defined by being planted with seeds, which pumpkins definitely have.
Therefore, while a part of the gourd family, they are a type of fruit. This is also a warm-weather crop, similar to other types of winter squash, which is why it is available to be harvested in the fall season.
There are a Wide Range of Colors and Shapes
Another fun fact about pumpkins is that there are many different colors, sizes, and even shapes. When people think of pumpkins, they often envision round or oval bright orange pumpkins, but this is only one of many varieties.
Depending on where you live and what is available, you might find pumpkins in red, yellow, white, or even multi-colored varieties. Round and oval are common, but some are pear shaped, taller or shorter. There are mini pumpkins, large ones, and every size in between.
Naturally, some pumpkins re better for carving, others are good for eating, and some of the more unique ones are best for decorating.
Pumpkins are Mostly Water
As you know, pumpkins contain a lot of amazing vitamins and minerals. This fruit is a superfood with a long list of nutrients, including vitamin A, potassium, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, and many more minerals. They are also low in fat and calories, and only moderate in carbs. Pumpkin fits into a lot of different diets, which is great.
Another fact about pumpkins is that they are about 90 percent water. This is partly why they are so low in fat because they contain a lot of water, similar to cucumbers, lettuce, and celery.
More Facts about Pumpkins
Here are a few more things you might not know about pumpkins:
- The flowers that grow around pumpkins are completely edible, as well as the skin.
- Pumpkins were once used for pie crust, instead of filling like it is used now.
- Native Americans used pumpkin seeds for herbal medicine as well as food.
- Pumpkins grow on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica.
