Pumpkins belong to the same family of plants as cucumbers, melons, squash, and gourds. They go all the way back before 5000 BC and may have originated in Central America.
The word pumpkin originates from the Greek word "pepon", meaning "large melon".
Pumpkins can grow as large as 1100 pounds.
Pumpkins are actually considered a fruit.
The bright orange color of pumpkin is a dead giveaway that pumpkin is loaded with an important antioxidant, beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is one of the plant carotenoids converted to vitamin A in the body. In the conversion to vitamin A, beta carotene performs many important functions in overall health. Pumpkin is also rich in the important mineral potassium.
Pumpkins are a good source of nutrition. They contain Vitamin A & B and potassium.
Pumpkins are also a source of protein, dietary fiber and Vitamin E.
Immature fruit will have more decay and weight loss during storage than mature fruits.
