The pumpkin season is upon us; the veritable representation of Halloween and the vegetable of Thanksgiving. It is variously described as a fruit, a berry, a vegetable, and known by names such as squash or winter squash. It is nutrient dense and virtually all parts of the vegetable are edible and nutritious ranging from the shell to the pulp and the seeds.

 

It is commonly round, orange or deep yellow in color but tend to occur in other colors such as white, green, yellow or other shades of colors. It could be smooth surfaced or bumpy and irregular. It occurs in various shapes and sizes. Carving pumpkin is a common practice during Halloween season. Pumpkin pies and pepitas are the more common ways people enjoy pumpkins. 

 

This collection is from pumpkin patches, my son’s residence and the California Academy of Sciences.