Pumpkin is a variety of Cucurbita, the most common is Cucurbita, its round, smooth surface, slightly rib, usually dark yellow to orange color. The thick shell contains seeds and pulp. Some of the largest pumpkin varieties, with similar appearance, also come from the largest pumpkin. Specific varieties of Zucchini from other species, including argyrosperma and C. moschata, are sometimes referred to as "pumpkins."

In 2017, the world's pumpkin production (including pumpkin and gourd) was 27 million tons, with China accounting for 29% of the total production. Pumpkin, native to North America (northeast Mexico and South America), is one of the oldest domesticated plants, used as early as 7500-5000 B.C. Pumpkins are widely grown for commercial use, as well as for food and entertainment. Pumpkin pie, for example, is a traditional part of Thanksgiving meals in Canada and the United States. Pumpkins are usually carved into pumpkin lamps and decorated around Halloween, although commercial canned pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie fillings are usually used differently from winter pumpkins used for pumpkin lamps.

Pumpkins, like other pumpkins, originate in northeastern Mexico and southern United States. The earliest evidence was found in Mexico between 7000 and 5500 B.C. Pumpkin fruit is a kind of plant fruit, which is called pepo.

Traditional C. pepo pumpkins usually weigh 3 to 8 kg (6 to 18 lb), although the largest variety (the largest C. species) usually weighs more than 34 kg (75 lb).

The color of pumpkin comes from the orange carotenoid pigment, including β - cryptoxanthin, α and β - carotene, which are all Pro Vitamin A compounds converted into vitamin A in vivo.

Pumpkins are grown around the world for a variety of reasons, from agricultural purposes (such as animal feed) to commercial and ornamental sales. [12] Of the seven continents, only Antarctica can't produce pumpkins. American traditional pumpkin used for Jack Lanterns is a Connecticut field variety.

In 100g, raw pumpkin can provide 110 kJ (26 calories) of food energy, and is an excellent source (20% or more of daily value) of pro - β - carotene and vitamin A (53% DV) (table). The content of vitamin C was moderate (11% DV), but no other nutrients were abundant (DV in the table was less than 10%). Pumpkin is 92% water, 6.5% carbohydrate, 0.1% fat and 1% protein (table).

Pumpkins are widely used in cooking. Most parts of the pumpkin are edible, including meat shells, seeds, leaves and even flowers. Pumpkin is a popular Halloween and Thanksgiving staple in the United States and Canada. Sometimes pumpkin puree is prepared and frozen for later use.

Pumpkins can be boiled, steamed or roasted when they are ripe. In its native North America, pumpkin is a very important traditional part of autumn harvest, which is mashed and eaten as soup and puree. Usually, it is made into pies, many of which are traditional staples for Thanksgiving holidays in Canada and the United States. In Canada, Mexico, the United States, Europe and China, seeds are often baked into snacks.

You can use pumpkin or zucchini to eat small and green pumpkins. In the Middle East, pumpkins are used as sweets. A famous sweet food is called halawa yaqtin. In the Indian subcontinent, pumpkins are cooked with butter, sugar and spices in a dish called kadu Ka halwa. Pumpkin is used to make water deer in wudubi food. In Guangxi Province of China, the leaves of pumpkin plants are eaten as cooked vegetables or soup. In Australia and New Zealand, pumpkins are often roasted with other vegetables. In Japan, pumpkins are served in delicacies such as tempura. In Myanmar, pumpkins are used for cooking as well as for dessert (preserves). Seeds are popular substitutes for sunflower seeds. In Thailand, the pumpkin is steamed with egg C and served as dessert. In Vietnam, pumpkins are usually cooked in pork or shrimp soup. In Italy, it can be used as a salty filling for wonton with cheese. Similarly, pumpkins can be used for flavoring alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

In the southwest of the United States and Mexico, pumpkins and pumpkin flowers are a popular and widely used food. They can be used to decorate dishes, or they can be dredged with batter and then fried. Pumpkin leaves are popular vegetables in Western and central Kenya. They are called seveve and mukimo ingredients respectively, while pumpkins themselves are usually boiled or steamed. The seeds are very popular with children. They bake them on the pot before eating. Pumpkin leaves are also edible in Zambia, where they are called chibwabwa and boiled with peanut butter.

In addition to the traditionally defined pumpkins, commercial canned "Pumpkin" purees and pumpkin pie fillings may also contain other winter pumpkins, such as walnuts.

In this gallery, you can download free pictures: Pumpkin pictures