Are pumpkin fruits or vegetables? You probably didn’t know that this huge orange thing is a fruit, not a vegetable! Pumpkins can grow to huge sizes and can be heavier than a small car. Now let’s dive into some interesting facts about pumpkins.
What Are Pumpkins?
Pumpkins are a fruit that is defined as a type of squash that grows on vines. This fruit can be of various colors like:
- Orange
- White
- Green
The History of Pumpkins
The history of pumpkins is deep and old. They have been recorded to be cultivated from the year 5500-7000 BCE. This botanical fruit is native to North and Central America and was grown by the indigenous people of North America. Pumpkins were brought to Europe through colonization of North America.
Pumpkins and Holidays
Pumpkins are used as jack-o-lanterns during Halloween and used to bake during Thanksgiving. The Irish immigrants used to carve turnips before they began carving pumpkins. Pumpkins were bigger and rounder which made them easier to carve; Americans adopted carving pumpkins from their Irish brothers and hence jack-o-lanterns began to be carved all over the nation.
People all over the world bake pumpkin pies and pumpkin related cuisine on the holiday of Thanksgiving. Native Americans brought pumpkin cultivation to American and pumpkin-based cuisine became widespread due to them.
How Pumpkins Grow
Here we will explain the pumpkin growth cycle for kids! Pumpkins grow from a tiny seed to a huge round fruit. The steps of the growth are:
- Starts as tiny seed
- Pumpkins need rich soil and proper water and sunlight
- When they get the right environment the vines start to grow
- The vines gain flowers and these flowers are pollinated by bees
- The blossom leads to a beautiful round pumpkin
Pumpkin Nutrition
Pumpkins are nutritionally dense and are a very healthy and yummy fruit. The fruit is made with the majority of water and is rich in Vitamin A and fiber, this means they are good for your eyes and your tummy! Pumpkins can be eaten as:
- Pumpkin pies
- Pumpkin muffins
- Pumpkin soups
World Records and Pumpkin Facts
- Have you ever wondered how big pumpkins can grow? The biggest pumpkin ever recorded was over 1,246 kilograms (2,749 pounds)
- The largest pumpkin pie weighs 1,678 kilograms (3,699 pounds)
- Did you know people race in hollowed-out pumpkin like boats, it’s called The Windsor Pumpkin Regatta
- Pumpkins are grown in many different colours
- There is an episode of Mr. Bean participating in a pumpkin growing competition
Fun Ways to Enjoy Pumpkins
Here are a few fun ways to enjoy pumpkins:
- Carving Pumpkins
- You and your friends can carve jack-o’-lanterns together with an adult watching over the activities, to make sure everything goes smoothly
- Pumpkin Recipes
- You can bake easy pumpkin recipes like pumpkin muffins or roast pumpkin seeds with your family!
- Pumpkin Painting
You can paint pumpkins with your friends or family, making silly faces or ghosts on them
Interactive Pumpkin Related Activities
Here are a few activities that you can involve children in:
Pumpkin Quiz:
Are Pumpkins vegetables?
No Pumpkins are botanical fruits
What color can pumpkins be besides orange?
Pumpkins can be grown in other colors as well like: green, yellow and even white
Which holiday uses jack-o’-lanterns?
Halloween uses jack-o’-lanterns!
Pumpkin Riddle: “I’m round and orange, grow on a vine, and people carve faces in me. What am I?”
Activity: Try to visit a pumpkin patch with your guardian and count how many shapes and colors you find.
Conclusion
Do you understand why pumpkins are awesome now? This ancient fruit is very healthy for you to eat. Pumpkins are also a huge part of your favourite holiday (Halloween). Next time you see a pumpkin remember all these amazing facts you read about!