Pumpkin – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What is pumpkin?

The pumpkin makes its first appearance in fall and is most often associated with our two fall holidays, Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Pumpkin is classified as winter squash and features smooth, ribbed skin in a deep yellow, gold, or orange hue. While it’s mainly grown for food purposes, it might also be one of the few vegetables grown for decoration. For instance, jack-o’-lanterns are a popular adornment for porches and at parties in celebration of Halloween. The small ones are often used to decorate for Thanksgiving.

Pumpkins generally weigh between 3–19 pounds, but they can also grow up to 75 pounds. Many grow large pumpkins for fun and sport—the largest ever weighed in at over 2,500 pounds. If you’re looking for a pumpkin in the “under 75 pounds” category, we can help.

Although typically orange, white pumpkins have been increasing in popularity in recent years.

Where did pumpkin originate?

Pumpkins are native to North America and could be our oldest known vegetable, dating back as far as 7,500 BC. It first grew mainly in Mexico and the southern U.S. Although celebrating Halloween is a very American tradition, half the world’s pumpkins come from India and China these days. And pumpkins are grown on every continent on the planet except Antarctica.

What is the nutritional value of pumpkin?

A pumpkin’s color comes from orange carotenoid pigments, like beta-cryptoxanthin, alpha, and beta carotene, all of which are converted to vitamin A in the body.

While commonly considered a vegetable, pumpkin is scientifically a fruit because it contains seeds. However, it’s more nutritiously linked to a vegetable. One cup of cooked pumpkin contains 49 calories, next to no fat, and 2g of protein. It contains a good amount of:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin E
• Potassium
• Copper
• Manganese
• Iron

How does pumpkin grow?

Pumpkins are usually planted in early July. The plant is on the hardy side. Even if leaves or vine are damaged, it can quickly regrow secondary vines and repair itself. Pumpkins grow both female and male flowers that must be fertilized by a bee. Commercial growers use hives of honeybees for pollination. (And they usually produce and cultivate honey simultaneously.)

America grows over 1.5 billion tons of pumpkin each year. Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California are the biggest pumpkin producers in the country.

How do you prepare a pumpkin for cooking?

Pumpkin is an efficient vegetable, as it’s almost completely edible. You can eat its flesh, seeds, leaves, and even its flowers.

They can be boiled, steamed, roasted, mashed, or pureed for soups and stews. But its claim to fame is the pumpkin pie.

The fastest and easiest way to prepare a pumpkin for a recipe is to cut it in half (removing strings and seeds) and roast it at 375°F for about an hour. Once it’s removed from the oven and cool, scrape out the soft, creamy flesh from the skin. Refrigerate or freeze it.

The seeds can also be roasted for a healthy, crunchy snack. Remove the pumpkin’s insides and detangle them from the pulp and stringy fibers. Wash and dry them before applying your choice of seasoning. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes to roast.

When is pumpkin in season?

You can’t miss the beginning of pumpkin season. They have an autumn harvest and usually begin making their appearance in mid-September through November and other members of the squash family.

How do you pick a pumpkin at the grocery store?

If you’re looking for a small pie pumpkin (which is better and sweeter than a large one), look for firm, smooth skin and a pumpkin that feels heavy for its size.

If you’re looking for your future jack-o’-lantern, choose one that’s large but not too heavy. You should select one with a strong stem and a balanced, round shape that stands up straight. Give the pumpkin a tap. You want one that sounds hollow. If it doesn’t sound empty inside, its walls are thick, making carving a bigger challenge.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for pumpkins via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for pumpkin.

How do you store pumpkins?

A whole pumpkin can be stored in a cool, dry place for many months. Once cut, it must be refrigerated. Wrap the cut areas in plastic and use them within 5 days. Or freeze for up to 10 months.

You can extend the life of your jack-o’-lantern and slow the inevitable rotting process by spraying the interior and exterior with a solution of 1Tbsp bleach per quart of water. It will kill the bacteria that cause mold. Or a less toxic way to treat it is with a solution of peppermint Castile Soap and water. You can also rub the cut edges with petroleum jelly. Briefly revive a dried-up, shriveled pumpkin by soaking it in a bucket of cool water for a few hours.

How can I tell if a pumpkin is bad?

Stay away from a pumpkin that’s cracked or bruised. And avoid it altogether if its bottom is soft and mushy.

What can I substitute for pumpkin?

Winter squashes like butternut and acorn make good substitutes for pumpkin. You can also try sweet potato, carrot, or another type of fresh produce.

Find fresh pumpkin near me

Pumpkin can make the leap from sweet to savory recipes with ease. They’re overloaded with vitamins, protein, fiber, and antioxidants. Plus, they’re a holiday decorating staple. Stock up on pumpkin to enjoy all year long with the help of Instacart.

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Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.