Pumpkin Facts

Everything you ever wanted to know about pumpkins

Pumpkins are fruits. A pumpkin is a type of squash and is a member of the
gourd family (Cucurbitacae), which also includes squash, cucumbers,
gherkins, and
melons.

Pumpkins have been grown in North America for five thousand years. They are
indigenous to the western hemisphere.

In 1584, after French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence
region of North America, he reported finding "gros melons." The name was
translated into English as "pompions," which has since evolved into the
modern
"pumpkin."

Pumpkins are low in calories, fat, and sodium and high in fiber. They are
good sources of Vitamin A, Vitamin B, potassium, protein, and iron.

The largest pumpkin ever grown was 1,140 pounds. It was grown by Dave Stelts
of Leetonia, Ohio, in 2000.

Pumpkin seeds should be planted between the last week of May and the middle
of June. They take between 90 and 120 days to grow and are picked in October
when they are bright orange in color. Their seeds can be saved to grow new
pumpkins the next year.

The largest pumpkin pie ever baked was 350 pounds and five feet in diameter.
(as of October 2003, that is)

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