Everything you need to know about... Pumpkins - Fun Kids

Hi there, and welcome to another tasty episode of… the Fruit & Root Crew, where we’re on a mission to uncover some of the stories behind the hero seasonal food we eat – from juicy fruits to veggies with va va voom.

It’s October… the leaves are falling, the nights are darker… and a certain farm favourite is popping up everywhere! On porches, in spooky window displays, on menus…

Any ideas? And is it a fantastic fruit or veritable vegetable? Only one way to find out!

It’s time to… Spin the Peel of Fortune!

So this month’s hero is a fruit – the one and only… Pumpkin!

Now, as we know… pumpkins are bright, bold and brilliant for carving, cooking… and even composting! Not bad for a big round ball that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale. It might be surprising though to know that they’re not actually a vegetable… biologically, they’re a fruit as they develop from a flower and contain seeds!

They’re also part of the gourd family, alongside things like squash and courgettes.

FRUITY FACTS!

There’s over 150 varieties of pumpkins grown across the world – from tiny munchkins to giant jumbos.
Pumpkins were first grown over 7,500 years ago, in what’s now Mexico.
They made their way to Europe in Tudor times, when they were called “pompions” – posh, right?
Pumpkins were so popular in Tudor England, they showed up in pies, puddings, soups…
And even medicines! Yep – people thought pumpkins could cure everything from tummy aches to skin rashes.

Now… we all probably think of pumpkins as being super Halloween. But here’s a thing… before pumpkins, people used to carve turnips for Halloween! Yeah, that’s right – turnips. It’s all based on an old Irish legend about “Stingy Jack” and his spooky glowing lantern.

No offence, turnips, but you’re not exactly Halloween material today!

When Irish immigrants moved to America, they discovered that pumpkins were way bigger, cooler and easier to carve – so pumpkin carving really started out as an American tradition. Today, pumpkin carving has become a full-blown art form – with competitions for the spookiest, silliest and most outrageous Jack O’Lanterns.

Today, we grow about 15 million pumpkins in the UK every year. And as you might know if you’ve ever scooped one out, each contains about 500 seeds! That’s a lot of potential snack material.

Let’s dig deeper and find out how pumpkins grow from tiny seeds to massive orange orbs in around 100 days… down on the farm.

MEET THE FARMER… DOWN ON THE FARM!

Across the UK, farmers like me grow around 15 million pumpkins each year, using 3,500 acres! Some are grown for carving, others for eating. And some farms, like mine, even have pumpkin picking patches where families can come for a fun day out.

Pumpkins start growing in spring and are ready from late September. We harvest them when the skin’s hard and the stem dries out. They’re cut off the vine and we leave them in the sun to cure and toughen up – which helps them last longer.

Pumpkins are good for the soil too – and when we rotate crops each year, pumpkins help keep the land healthy. They’re not just fun – they’re eco-friendly, support local farming and the whole plant is useful – seeds, flesh, even the vines!

So whether you carve them, cook them or compost them – even if just once a year, pumpkins are a brilliant British crop.

And talking of cooking…

GET IN MA BELLY!

Pumpkins aren’t just for spooky faces – they’re delicious too! Here are some awesome autumn recipes to try at home.

First off.. a classic and great for making from your scooped out lantern. Pumpkin Soup – creamy, warm and perfect with a slice of bread.
Or what about Pumpkin Pesto or Hummus – add some spice and dip in your crunchy veg.
You could also make your kitchen smell delicious with a hot fresh batch of Pumpkin Bread
Or perhaps Pumpkin scones – autumn in every bite!
And if you’re going full Halloween… try Pumpkin Flapjacks or a Spiced Pumpkin Cake with creepy decorations on top!

Here’s a great tip – if you’re carving pumpkins this Halloween, don’t bin the insides. Scoop out the seeds, roast them with a little salt, and enjoy a crunchy snack!

From seed to lantern to soup bowl – pumpkins are one gourd-geous vegetable.