Edible pumpkins - What types of pumpkin are there?

Pumpkin varieties: about giant pumpkins & co.

With such a wide variety of different pumpkins, it is not easy to classify them botanically. In our latitudes, however, there are three pumpkin species that dominate and are mainly cultivated: Garden pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo), musk pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) and giant pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima). Most pumpkin varieties of these species are edible pumpkins that end up on our plates as pumpkins. There are also a large number of ornamental pumpkins. However, this article will focus on edible pumpkin varieties and species for growing in the garden or on the balcony. You can find more information on growing pumpkins with tips on sowing, care, harvesting and storage in the related article.

Edible pumpkin varieties for growing your own

Within these three species, there are various subspecies and varieties with numerous pumpkin types. These varieties differ mainly in their size, shape, color and taste of the pumpkins. The growth form of the plants is usually similar with ground-covering or climbing runners. Depending on the location and growing conditions, you can choose the right variety for you. For example, low-growing varieties with small fruits, such as the Hokkaido pumpkin, are more suitable for the balcony. There are also climbing zucchini varieties that you can grow vertically on the balcony to save space.

A distinction can also be made between summer and winter squash:

Summer pumpkins are harvested before they are fully ripe, giving them a thin, soft skin that is suitable for eating. As a result, they are more susceptible to spoilage and can only be kept for a few weeks.

Winter pumpkins are harvested when fully ripe and have a thick, hard skin that is not edible. On the other hand, these pumpkins have a much longer shelf life and can be stored for up to six months. Some winter pumpkins, such as the butternut or Hokkaido pumpkin, are the exception here. Their skin is edible and becomes soft when cooked. Nevertheless, they can be dried well and stored for a long time.

Giant pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima)

Pumpkins of this type originally come from the North American Andes and are therefore relatively cold-tolerant (but not frost-resistant). This species includes a large number of different pumpkin varieties. On the one hand, among the giant pumpkins there are pumpkin varieties that are grown for competitions and can weigh up to a ton (the world record is 1226 kg/2702 pd), e.g. the 'Atlantic Giant' variety. This type of pumpkin produces the largest fruits known in the plant kingdom. On the other hand, there are also small-fruited pumpkins, such as the Hokkaido pumpkin or bishop's mitre. Giant pumpkins also include Halloween pumpkins, but these are not suitable for eating.

Hokkaido pumpkin

The Hokkaido pumpkin is the absolute favorite among pumpkin varieties. Weighing between 1 and 3 kg/2.2 and 6.6 pd, it is one of the smaller edible pumpkin varieties. This makes this edible pumpkin ideal for growing on the balcony. There are many different varieties that vary in color from green to orange. Varieties such as 'Uchiki Kuri', 'Red Kuri' or 'Green Hokkaido' are tried and tested and will win over any hobby gardener with their nutty, mild flavor. The skin is edible and becomes soft when cooked. Its fruits are harvested from September until the first frost and can be stored for around 5 to 6 months, depending on the variety

Bishop's mitre or turban pumpkin

The bishop's mitre, also known as the turban pumpkin, looks particularly beautiful due to its many colors ranging from white to orange to green. This is why they are often used as ornamental pumpkins. Their tasty, sweet flesh is also ideal for cooking and baking. However, the skin of the turban pumpkin is not edible. Harvesting begins in September until the first frost. Depending on how it is stored, the turban pumpkin can be kept for 4 to 6 months. The shelf life is extended if stored in the fridge.

Discover the diversity of pumpkin varieties!

In our library you will find information on numerous pumpkin varieties with cultivation periods, tips on planting and harvesting. You will also find good and bad neighbors to help you plan a mixed crop.

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Musk pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata)

This type of pumpkin comes from tropical regions with a hot, humid climate (Central and South America) and is particularly thermophilic. It was cultivated there a long time ago by indigenous peoples in mixed cultures with maize and beans. This mixed culture is called milpa. You can find out how to create and plant a milpa bed in this article. The most common varieties grown in our latitudes are butternut and nutmeg squash.

Butternut squash

The pear or butternut squash has a smooth, slightly yellow skin with light orange, sweetish flesh. These pumpkins weigh between 0.5 and 2.5 kg/1.1 and 5.5 pd and are therefore relatively small. They contain very few seeds. When freshly harvested, the skin of the pear pumpkin can also be eaten. Its fruits are harvested from August to September. This pumpkin variety can be kept for around 3 months.

Muscat squash

Muscat pumpkins (also known as: Muscat de Provence (French)) grow up to 50 cm/19.7 in tall and weigh between 5 and 30 kg/11 and 66 pd. They are dark green when unripe and slowly turn light brown-orange as they ripen. Their flesh tastes nutty and fruity with a slight hint of nutmeg. The hard skin must be removed when cooking, but this makes it particularly long-lasting (8-10 months). Harvesting starts in August and lasts until October.

Our tip: Due to their hard skin, they can be hollowed out and used as a soup bowl or dish.

Garden pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo)

Garden pumpkins are a type of pumpkin with many different shapes. In addition to the ufo-like patisson pumpkin, spaghetti squash and zucchinis are also garden pumpkins. Styrian oil pumpkins are also part of this type of pumpkin. These pumpkins have particularly soft seeds that are ideal for pressing oil. These varieties are also native to Central America and are therefore very thermophilic.

Patisson pumpkin

The patisson pumpkin comes in different colors. From white, yellow and green to striped or speckled, there really is everything. This pumpkin can also be eaten with the skin on, provided it is harvested early. Due to its soft skin, this pumpkin can only be stored for up to 2 months. The harvest period begins in July and lasts until October. The taste of the fruit is reminiscent of a zucchini.

Spaghetti squash

The spaghetti squash is characterized by its special flesh, which breaks down into spaghetti-like fibres when cooked. Its flesh is light yellow and has a nutty aroma. On the outside, it is initially cream-colored and eventually turns yellow. It reaches a weight of between 1 and 3 kg/2.2 and 6.6 pd. Its fruits can be harvested from August until late fall. They can be stored for 5 to 9 months.

Zucchini

The zucchini is also a subspecies of the garden pumpkin and part of the pumpkin family. Zucchinis come in a wide variety of shapes and colors. In addition to the classic green varieties, they are also available in white or yellow. The yellow, elongated fruits of the 'Gold Rush' variety are particularly popular with amateur gardeners. You can find an overview of round, yellow and old zucchini varieties in this article. Depending on the variety, these courgettes are harvested from July to the beginning of October. Thanks to their thin skin, zucchinis can be kept for a few weeks if stored correctly.

I hope you got an overview of the pumpkin varieties and find the right one for you! If you have any questions or comments, please write to us at [email protected].

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Cover picture by Hans on Pixabay.