Description

Pumpkins that come from the gourd family is said to be a variety of winter squash. It is seen in different shapes, sizes, and colours. The most common ones are the orange-skinned round pumpkins and happens to be better for decoration and carving than eating. They grown in vines and harvested in early autumn. The skin of the pumpkin is not edible, but the sweet flesh inside the pumpkin, the fruit’s seeds, and blossoms are used in cooking, thus it’s marked with relevance in the culinary world. They are native to Central America and Mexico, while it is said they have been grown in North America and are indigenous to the western hemisphere. It emergence drolls in antiquity, hence after the French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence region of North America, he laid with the finding of  “gros melom”, later translated into English as “pompion”, that gradually evolved into modern “pumpkin”. These pumpkins are planted somewhere around the last week of May and mid of June and are picked in the month of October as they nearly take 90-120 days to grow. There are ample varieties of pumpkins, like Big Max, Casper, Cinderella, Howden, Jack Be Little, New England Pie, Sweet Sugar, etc.

Health benefits

• Pumpkin are said to contain carotenoids that help in neutralizing free radicals in the body, thereby it keeps the skin wrinkle-free. Moreover, it is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and Zinc, therefore it prevents the very emergence of pimples and dark circles.⁽¹⁾ 
• The presence of beta-carotene in pumpkin helps in the development of cancers like breast cancer, skin cancer, and prostate cancer.⁽¹⁾
• As pumpkins are the pandora box of antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and beta-carotene, it supports eye health and prevents age-old ocular related damages.⁽²⁾
• Pumpkins are a rich source of fibre, hence its very presence helps in smoothing the bowel movement, thereby maintaining a healthy digestive system.⁽²⁾

Selection Guide

The pumpkin should not be mushy, rather should be firm all over. Never pick up a pumpkin with brown spots. It should be orange all over.