Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo)

Family: Cucurbitaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Cucurbita pepo is a ANNUAL CLIMBER growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 5 m (16ft 5in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Shoots, Roots/Tubers, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

mild flavour and is very watery. — Used as a vegetable, it has a very mild flavour and is very watery.; It is often harvested when still very young when it is called courgettes.; The fruit has very little flavour of its own and so is often used as a base for making savoury dishes, the seeds being scooped out of the fruit and a filling being put in its place - this can then be baked.; A nutritional analysis is available.

Habitat & North American Range

Not known in the wild. (Zone 2)