Fun Facts About Pumpkins

The lists of fun facts about pumpkins are plentiful throughout the Internet. I have chosen some of the best ones to give here:

• Total U.S. pumpkin production in 2006 was valued at $101.3 million.

• The top pumpkin production states are Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and California. • Pumpkins are grown primarily for processing with a small percentage grown for ornamental sales through you-pick farms, farmers’ market and retail sales.

• Around 90 to 95% of the processed pumpkins in the United States are grown in Illinois.

• Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A.

• Pumpkins are used for feed for animals.

• Pumpkin flowers are edible.

• The largest pumpkin pie ever made was over five feet in diameter and weighed over 350 pounds. It used 80 pounds of cooked pumpkin, 36 pounds of sugar, 12 dozen eggs and took six hours to bake.

• Pumpkins are members of the vine crops family called cucurbits.

• Pumpkins originated in Central America.

• In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling.

• Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing snake bites.

• Pumpkins range in size from less than a pound to over 1,000 pounds.

• The name pumpkin orginated from "pepon" – the Greek word for "large melon."

• The Connecticut field variety is the traditional American pumpkin.

• Pumpkins are 90 percent water.

• Pumpkins are a fruit.

• Eighty percent of the pumpkin supply in the United States is available in October.

Source: University of Illinois Extension

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