Pumpkin is a part of the gourd family which consist of cucumbers, muskmelon, watermelon and squash. Pumpkins lean to have orange tone flesh with an easy-going, sweet flavour with edible seeds.

Pumpkins are grown in all parts of the world on six of the seven continents, with Antarctica being the only exception. They are even grown in Alaska!

plural: pumpkins

How to select: They can grow to over 100 pounds, but we only use the smallest size ones. They small ones have soft flesh appropriate for eating. The best way to choose a pumpkin is to make sure they are free of any sort of spots or discolouration. Another thing you may look out for that they are a good weight for their size, kind of feel heavy and dense.

How to store: Just leave your pumpkin out.  Keep whole at room temperature. It should stay fresh for a approximately a month or if you place it in a refrigerator, it would stay fresh for about three months.

How to prepare: bake it.

Goes well with the following flavours: apples, brown sugar, butter, caramel, cinnamon, garlic, ginger,  honey, maple syrup, molasses, mushrooms, nutmeg, nuts, olive oil, onions, pecans, pepper, pumpkin seeds, sage, sour cram, sugar, thyme, vanilla, vinegar, walnuts & yogurt

* Pumpkins can be used for many other things besides sweets. It is a great side dish as well. A dazzling way to cook fresh pumpkin is in your oven. Oven roast your pumpkin with some olive oil, cumin & black pepper - it makes a lovely vegetable dish, this recipe is included in my collection of “Pumpkin” recipes  It also freezes great.