The Fall season wouldn’t be complete without pumpkins! We love pumpkins to decorate the home inside and out, pumpkin carving, cooking, and even for the ongoing debate surrounding all things “Pumpkin Spice.” But did you know that there are different types of pumpkins? They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. You may have seen various types at a pumpkin patch or, more recently, at the grocery store as they have become more readily available.
Our pumpkin guide covers the most common types of pumpkins. Discover which pumpkins excel in the kitchen for cooking and eating and which ones shine as house decor. Make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom for a FREE bonus pumpkin recipe!
Jack Be Little
This charming heirloom pumpkin variety boasts a deep yellow or orange hue and measures approximately 2 inches in height and 3 inches in width. This petite and delightful mini pumpkin, perfect for enhancing table settings, also doubles as a delectable treat with its dense and sweet flesh. Its versatility shines as it serves not only as a charming decorative piece for your home fall displays but also as a unique edible bowl for soups and culinary creations.
We Be Little
Weighing in at a mere 8 ounces to a pound, this small pumpkin variety is perfect for small gardens, with vines reaching a modest 8 feet in length. Its flawlessly smooth, deep orange skin provides an excellent canvas for artistic creativity such as painting. Its sweet, deep-yellow flesh is a culinary delight to craft delectable pumpkin pies, hearty stews, nourishing soups, or even for canning purposes.
Warty Goblin
This distinctive hybrid pumpkin has orange skin and is adorned with protruding warts, lending it an eerie and spooky appearance. The orange hard shell rind is adorned with green warts that maintain their vibrant hue for several weeks after harvest. Due to its tough rind, cutting into the Warty Goblin can be quite challenging, but don’t let its unsightly bumps deter you—it’s still edible! Its dark green stem is firmly attached, and these warted wonders are produced on robust vines, offering intermediate resistance to Powdery Mildew.
Casper Pumpkin
White pumpkins have surged in popularity as decorative items. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these pumpkins offer a delicious surprise. Beneath their thick, ghostly white exterior lies a vibrant orange flesh that’s sweet, perfect for making pies, and delightful to eat. The Casper Pumpkin, in particular, embodies this enchanting combination. Its almost completely smooth surface makes it a breeze to carve or paint, and its sweet, succulent flesh adds a delightful twist to your culinary creations, making it a superb choice for pies and baking. This friendly, ghostly pumpkin is a versatile addition to your home decor and your kitchen.
Jack O Lantern
These types of pumpkins are more desirable for those wanting to carve designs as they are larger and tall. The pulp is more water than other varieties but can still be cooked for pumpkin pie. Once you’re done with the pumpkin, toss it in the compost bin. You may want to cut up in chunks depending on your method, but it makes a great addition to the compost pile. Consider donating to a friend or farm with livestock as cows, chickens, and worms love pumpkin!
Pepitas
With its attractive orange and green striped rind, this pumpkin creates a captivating autumn display. When fully mature, it typically weighs around nine to 12 pounds. What sets it apart is that its seeds come without hulls (shells), making them a perfect choice for roasting, providing a delectable and hassle-free snack
Musquee De Provence
This charming French heirloom variety can grow as large as 20 pounds. Musquee De Provence pumpkins are substantial and flat, adorned with deep lobes, and their inherent sweetness is a sought-after trait. While they may be green when young, they ripen to a beautiful nut-brown hue, making them not only visually appealing for fall house decorating but also a delightful ingredient for pies and other culinary delights.
Other common types include Jarrahdale pumpkin, Long Island Cheese pumpkin, Fairytale pumpkin, Baby Boo pumpkin, cinderella pumpkin, blue prince pumpkin, small sugar pumpkin, and Atlantic Giant Pumpkin.
Tips for Picking Pumpkins to Carve
- Avoid pumpkins with very thick skin. If you thump or knock on the pumpkin and it sounds solid, most likely its skin is thick.
- Tall and slender pumpkin varieties often come with stringy flesh, which can complicate the process of achieving clean cuts.
- A broad face and flat bottom for a sturdy base make good carvers.
- Naturally, an appealing stem adds an extra touch of charm.
Tips for Picking Pumpkins to Eat
- The most desirable cooking pumpkins weigh in around 4-8 pounds.
- Their surface is typically smooth, although exceptions exist.
- Steer clear of pumpkins exhibiting bruises, cuts, soft spots, or any indications of damage or deterioration. Skin imperfections can rapidly progress to rot.
- Select varieties that have dense flesh and contain a high percentage of sugar.
