Pumpkins: 6 Facts

1. There may be hundreds of varieties of pumpkins.

I couldn’t find a precise number that was repeated on different sites, but I did find a number over 100 more than once. This Master Gardener claims there are over 300 pumpkin varieties. Master Gardeners tend to care about getting their facts right, so I’ll believe her. 

2. Pumpkins come in five main colors.

Most pumpkins are a variation or combination of one of these five colors:

• Orange
• Yellow
• White
• Green
• Blue

3. Illinois produces most of the pumpkins sold in the U.S.

 Most of the pumpkins in Illinois are grown for commercial uses like making canned pumpkin.

4. The US prefers its pumpkins in sweet baked goods.

An internet search for pumpkin recipes was overwhelmingly sweet foods, mostly of the pie, muffin, or cookie variety.

5. Pumpkins can be healthy to eat.

Pumpkins contain vitamins A, C, E, potassium, fiber, and other good-for-you things.

6. Pumpkins are related to cucumbers, watermelon, and zucchini.

That’s because all these fruits are gourds.