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another pumpkin question

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posted 16 years ago

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So, what's the difference between pie pumpkins and carving pumpkins, really? I know that pie pumpkins are sweeter. Are carving pumpkins just kind of crap hybrids that are just grown for bigness?

In 'the store' they're two different types, but from the garden, how to differentiate. Maybe it's like zucchini: once it gets a certain size it's easier to just use it for decoration rather than eat it.
??

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Susan Monroe

Posts: 1093

Location: Western WA

posted 16 years ago

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They're actually two different varieties. The sweeter, less stringy pie or 'sugar' pumpkins are Cucurbita moschata. The jack o'lantern pumpkins are usually Cucurbita pepo.

I've grown both, but not at the same time. It would be interesting to do so, and see what (probably minor) differences there are between them, esp in the flower.

Another thing to put on my list!

Sue

Leah Sattler

Posts: 2603

posted 16 years ago

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The pie pumpkins also have more "meat" in them. less rind and seed cavity and more to actually use for eating. They are heavier for their size than carving pumpkins.

[img]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/havlik1/permie%20pics2/permiepotrait3pdd.jpg[/img]

"One cannot help an involuntary process. The point is not to disturb it. - Dr. Michel Odent

Kelda Miller

Posts: 769

posted 16 years ago

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It's kind of a moot point now because the pumpkins are all rotted away, But I'd originally asked this question as I had some mystery pumpkins come out of the compost pile, and I was deciding whether to eat or not.

So knowing now that there's two different varieties, I might try out the mystery pumpkins and just see if they taste good. If they have lots of meat, it might be a clue it's descended from a pie pumpkin.

Well, it's not going to hurt me to eat the wrong type right?

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Susan Monroe

Posts: 1093

Location: Western WA

posted 16 years ago

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I've never heard of poisonous pumpkins. I think the jack-o-lantern types are just more bland.

But if you want REALLY bland, try eating a pumpkin that has crossed with a gourd.

Sue

Posts: 36

Location: Snohomish, WA

posted 16 years ago

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Hi Kelda,

In a pinch, the kids really wanted pumpkin butter, I have used a carving pumpkin. Because they are stringy, it is good to run them through a food mill.
They do have less flavor but as far as the kids go, the pumpkin was just a carrier for cinnamon and nutmeg.

I also like to dry pumpkin. It tastes a bit like dried mango. Simon loves it.

I hope that helps.

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Leah Sattler

Posts: 2603

posted 16 years ago

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mmmm, pumpkin butter! I hope to have a larger garden and not have a resident population of stink bugs next year and I will get to devote more time and effort in the pumpkin/winter squash department.

permie mama -what ratios of nutmeg, cinnamon, and sugar do you use, or do you just go by taste?

[img]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/havlik1/permie%20pics2/permiepotrait3pdd.jpg[/img]

"One cannot help an involuntary process. The point is not to disturb it. - Dr. Michel Odent

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