Pumpkins are technically a fruit, not a vegetable?

          Thanks to all that looked at my blog this weekend.  Good number...even though weebly wasn't posting on facebook, I posted the whole article on facebook.  So it was good.  Now will try again to post thru weebly. Personal note:  Saw all 3 grandchildren this weekend and it was fun.  Made the succulent pumpkins and gave to their moms.  It was a success.  So will be doing this in Sunday School for a craft and for our tables at church for Harvest Home.  How about pumpkins?  Found this article all about different kinds of pumpkins.  They are such a fall item.  This was taken from Diane Blazek at National Garden Bureau
 
       It's Fall, Y'All! The season for everyone's favorite...Pumpkins! Native to North America, pumpkins are a type of winter squash, genus Cucurbita, that are a category all their own, species pepo or maxima (this species is for the really big pumpkins). At this time of year, the market is filled with many different types of pumpkins besides the basic orange globe. If you see an unusual one at your market, try it for a different look in your fall decorations or as a completely different culinary taste treat. By the way, did you know pumpkins are technically a fruit, not a vegetable?  Enjoy your exploration!
 
SUGAR or PIE PUMPKINS
        Looking for pumpkins that are petite, round and have a sweeter flesh, perfect for pie making? Try Hijinks  and Baby Bear  both All-America Selections Winners. These pumpkins are petite and round and have a sweeter flesh, perfect for pie making and baking. Their smaller size makes them the go-to choice for younger children when pumpkin picking because they are "Just my size!"
 
ROUGE VIF D'ETAMPES (Cinderella) PUMPKINS
       Cinderella's Carriage  is a recent All-America Selections Winner and was hybridized from the French heirloom Cinderella that dates back to the 1800s. The flesh is dense, mildly sweet (good for use in pies and soups) and the shape is said to have inspired the pumpkin shaped coach in the fairy tale of the same name.
 
MINIATURE or BABY PUMPKINS
       Wee-B-Little is another All-America Selections Winner. Munchkin  is a shorter, Cinderella shaped miniature pumpkin, both of which are great to display in multiples for fall decorations. Miniature pumpkins are easy to grow and quite productive, usually producing about a dozen fruits per plant.
 
 JARRAHDALE PUMPKIN
      This lovely, decorative pumpkin with stunning blue-green skin is an heirloom from New Zealand. It's a medium-sized fruit with mild, sweet aromatic golden-yellow flesh.
 
 PEANUT PUMPKIN
      Don't be put off by the look! Those warty-looking growths are actually sugar secretions over a light pink skin which mean this type of pumpkin has one of the sweetest non-fibrous flesh of all pumpkins so it produces a smooth, creamy and deliciously delicate and fluffy puree. Galeux d’Eysines is one variety to try.
 
 NOVELTY PUMPKIN
      Every year, it seems that new novelty pumpkins can be found in the market.  This year, you'll find two new AAS Winners to add to the list: Pepitas Pumpkin and Super Moon.  Pepitas pumpkins are a decorative orange and green and named for its hulless or naked seeds (pepitas) that lack the tough outer hull making them easy to eat after slow-roasting. Super Moon, a new white pumpkin on the market, can grow up to 50 lbs (Cucurbita maxima as referenced above!)! So when you are at a Farmer's Market, or looking at growing some for your garden for next year put some of these on your list.  Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa