Pumpkin is a variety of squash that is often only considered a Halloween decoration. However, the purposes of pumpkins are vast and vary according to their variety. Some are only for decorations while others make the best pies. For instance, the Jack-O-Lantern pumpkin is a giant-sized pumpkin that is employed for carving during Halloween.
There are many distinct varieties of this fruit that must have a place in your kitchen. Their nutritional value could prove to be an amazing health factor for you because they are rich in vitamins, potassium, minerals, and beta-carotene.
They are able to be turned into many forms, for instance: sauces, stews, cakes, pies, and many more. Following is a complete guide about sugar pumpkins that are used for eating.
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Sugar Pumpkins
Sugar Pumpkins, also known as canned or pie pumpkins, are circular-shaped dark orange fruit. They were founded in France, but have made their way to other countries as well. They have a pale orange interior that turns into an exquisite orange when cooked.
You can enjoy them in the fall season and even savor them for three months after plucking them from the plant. As the name suggests it is a sweet breed, however, its sweetness does not overwhelm so as to make you look for something salty to compensate.
It has a mild sugary taste that would make you crave it repeatedly. You can also use it to adjust the taste of something too savory.
Below we have mentioned some of the types of pie/sugar pumpkins most common in people.
Cinderella
Cinderella, a flat-shaped, orange-colored pumpkin, is an excellent heirloom variety from France. It is well known for the excellent pies that are made from it. This pumpkin got its name from the Disney movie Cinderella, where her carriage resembled this fruit. Rouge Vif D’Etampe is its real name.
These popular fruits of the 1880s are ideal for baking purposes. Even those gardeners who do not prefer growing a vegetable twice in their garden, choose to plant them every season. Yes! That’s how valuable this breed is.
Cinderella yield is also amazing; you might sow only four seeds and get more than fifteen pumpkins. They are so rich in the flesh that you can expect more than eighteen cups of puree.
Where to Find Them
Originally, they were found in France, and they have entertained the people of Paris for years. Cinderella Pumpkins are extremely versatile and now they can be found in most parts of Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Cost
Cinderella costs around ninety-nine cents a pound.
Availability
Pumpkins usually start appearing in gardens and shops in September and they stay till November. You can find Cinderella in fall through winter.
Nutritional Value
Rouge Vif D’Etampe has high nutritional value. Its pie can be an excellent healthy snack for those who avoid junk food. Many people prefer giving them in lunch boxes to their kids as a healthy snack at school. They are rich in iron, potassium, and vitamins (A and C).
Size
Cinderella pumpkins have varying sizes ranging from medium to large. Their average size is 12-15 inches in diameter. They have a weight of 15-35 pounds.
Galeux d’Eysines
This sugar pumpkin is also a French heirloom with salmon peachy, pink-colored skin with bumps caused by the sugar in it. Its orange-tinged flesh tastes amazing and is ideal for making pumpkin pies. French like presenting its soup on various occasions. It is one of the most delicious breeds of pumpkins. You will want to savor its stews, sauces, and other recipes all year.
Where to Find Them
Galeux d’Eysines originated in Eysines, France. However, it has been in the U.S. since 1996.
Cost
The Galeux d’Eysines costs around US$2.45.
Availability
You’ll want to have this sugar pumpkin all year round. However, the season for these delicious and versatile sugar pumpkins is from fall through winter. You can get its seeds out of season, grow your own pumpkins, and preserve them for later use.
Nutritional Value
This sugar pumpkin is healthy for every age group. It can fulfill your deficiency of potassium, fibers, vitamin A&C, and beta-carotene. Its nutritional value doubles up when you cook it in olive oil. You can make healthy ice cream for your kids with this sugary and mouth-watering fruit.
Size
Their size ranges from medium to large. Their average weight is 10 to 20 pounds.
Musquee de Provence
Musquee de Provence is a semi-flat pumpkin. Initially, it has a green color, but as it matures it changes its color to golden. Its dense orange flesh tastes so delicious. This tender and fragrant fruit has low fiber and an ideal flavor.
Where to Find Them
It was founded in South America and then Spanish explorers brought them into Europe in the 19th century. It also gained popularity in the South of France. The people of Chicago were lucky enough to get this breed for the first time when it was introduced in America. Currently, people from Europe, Africa, and America enjoy its taste.
Cost
Musquee de Provence costs around US$3.49.
Availability
As fall is the season when pumpkins are seen everywhere; Musquee de Provence is no exception. It is also available in fall through winter.
Nutritional Value
Musquee de Provence squash is high in vitamin A and beta-carotene and is a useful source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, manganese, omega-3 fatty acids, B-complex vitamins, and copper.
Size
Musquee de Provence can be seen in varying sizes. Generally, they weigh from 15-20 pounds.
Sugar Pumpkin vs. Carving Pumpkin
Regular pumpkins
Also called carving pumpkins or Jack-O-Lantern, regular pumpkins are bigger in size. They are grown specifically for carving purposes on Halloween.
They have more water and less flesh of dark orange color. They have fibrous and granulous texture on the inside. Their weight harmonizes with their size.
Sugar Pumpkins
Sugar pumpkins are also known as pie pumpkins. People usually tend to paint them for small decoration purposes. They make the best embellishment for porch and other outdoor spaces.
They have heavenly taste, that’s why people are inclined to cook them for various special occasions.
Their flesh is less fibrous and less grainy, which makes it a better choice for baking as well. Their covering is darker (deep orange) as compared to other pumpkins. Generally, pie pumpkins are known to have a smaller size than regular fruit, but they could also come in varying sizes. They seem heavy for their size.
Can Regular Pumpkins be Eaten?
People often tend to ask if regular pumpkin is edible or not. Well, the answer is yes, you can eat them. However, they won’t taste as good as sugar pumpkins.
Regular pumpkin has less flesh with a lot of water, which will take a lot of time to dry up. It might also taste a little bit bitter. Sugar pumpkin is specifically for baking and cooking purposes. You can make stews, soups, sauces, pickles, and many other recipes using this fruit.
Substitutes for Sugar Pumpkins
If you have been craving sugar pumpkins but they are short for some reason, Winter squash is an excellent substitute to fulfill your yearning. Winter squash is considered the ideal substitute for pie pumpkins. Some other substitutes could be butternut, buttercup, honey nut, and acorn squashes.
The reason for that is that they have a similar taste. Autumn Gold, Baby Pam, and Ghost Rider are some of the types of winter squash.
Can you Eat Small Pumpkins?
Most people only use small pumpkins for decorative purposes. However, they are an ideal treat during fall. For instance, Jack-be-Little was founded in 1886 and it resembles a lot with acorn squash cultivar.
The size of this baby pumpkin is not more than a tennis ball. Other examples of mini fruit are Baby Pam, Baby Boo, and New England Pie.
Final Thoughts
Sugar pumpkins are a major source of pleasure for everyone around the globe. They are the beauty of the kitchen and a favorite ingredient for every chef in the season of fall.
People tend to keep sugar pumpkin because of its heavenly taste. They are not only for cooking/baking purposes but also for decoration on many fall occasions.
You can buy them from farms or anywhere you buy vegetables. If you want to create some fall vibes throughout the year, you can choose to grow them yourself. The fruit appears specifically in the fall, while its seeds are available the entire year.
Sources:
- https://gardenerspath.com/plants/vegetables/best-pie-pumpkins/#Baby-Bear
- https://www.myfearlesskitchen.com/whats-the-difference-between-a-pie-pumpkin-and-a-carving-pumpkin/
- https://www.specialtyproduce.com/produce/Galeux_d_Eysines_Squash_9232.php
- https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Sugar_Pie_Pumpkins_12914.php