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kamloops, BC, Canada

Any one grow pumpkins for taste and know of any good seeds to look for that are yummy for pie / sauce? I love home made pie and putting pumpkin in muffins and cookies.

10/24/2007 7:16:34 PM

San Jose [email protected]

there are types of pumpkins for making pies etc. Giants are not them

Culinary pumpkins — not just pie pumpkins, because some people make pickles, preserves, and savory dishes, as well — have firmer flesh and a sweeter taste. There are many varieties of culinary pumpkins, and heirloom varieties are highly prized for their taste and texture. Among the best are the Small Sugar, Winter Luxury, Cheese, Golden Cushaw, and Rouge Vif d'Etampes.

Unless you're growing your own, you may have a hard time finding anything other than the Small Sugar pumpkin, which is also known as the New England Pie, Northern Pie, and Sugar Pie. The Cheese and Golden Cushaw do not look like classical pumpkins, but may be easier to find in areas with hotter climates. In general, these are sweeter than the Small Sugar pumpkins, and are more often used in commercial canning. Unless you live in New Orleans or a snobby neighborhood, the Rouge Vif d'Etampes is quite likely to be called a Cinderella or Deep Red pumpkin.

Some purists may disagree, but an awful lot of people believe that pumpkin is one of the few foods that is better canned than fresh — that it is more consistent and has a better texture. It certainly is easier to use.

10/24/2007 7:38:57 PM

[email protected]

I would have to agree that canned pumpkin is much easier to use for baking purposes.

10/24/2007 8:43:34 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

nothing like a nice dark orange squash...Pumpkins I find are stringy when cooked..Squash is perfect..Pumpkin Waffles, Pumpkin Pancakes, Pumpkin Muffins and Pumpkin Fudge...

10/24/2007 10:22:19 PM

Key West, FL

People grow pumpkins for taste?

10/24/2007 10:29:46 PM

kamloops, BC, Canada

so does any one have seeds for these culinary pumpkins by chance or i will try finding them in a seed catalogue. Would be nice to try growing one at home for some good homegrown pumpkin pie.

10/24/2007 11:36:00 PM

Pumpkintown, SC

Well explained Gary! I might add a specific variety or two to your list: The gray/blue skinned(yet, ever orange flesh) Jarrahdale(Jaradale), the best I have personally had and sworn by those who can "get past" using a gray/blue(skinned) pumpkin for baking; and also the ever popular(though probably regionally speaking) Georgia Candy Roaster.
Come on, ya gotta use a real pumpkin. Throw that can away... BF

10/24/2007 11:51:12 PM

That State Up North

539 Stellpflug was one of the best, I have eaten some good flesh from the 801.5 Stelts and its relatives as well

10/25/2007 12:36:18 AM

kamloops, BC, Canada

awsome info guys thanks. I will look for these varieties.

10/25/2007 10:37:17 AM

[email protected]

Butternut squash is the way to go IMO. They're almost all meat. The "pumpkin" you get out of a can, such as Libby's, is a type of squash similar to butternut but with longer necks. And they're easy to find. Butternuts are the ones that look like Beakers head from the Muppets.

10/25/2007 12:08:23 PM

[email protected]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butternut_squash

10/25/2007 12:09:52 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Ohhh Please Butternut is like drinking lite beer :) ButterCup or Sunshine.

10/25/2007 1:47:06 PM

Georgia

The white pumpkins I grow have some of the most orange and sweet insides of any pumpkin ive grown which was weird I thought.

10/25/2007 1:51:00 PM

kamloops, BC, Canada

i will have to try the meat from the ghost pumpkin I grew this year. Not sure what the inside is like though. I will look up a few of these names in my seeds catalogue from Stokes Seeds or one of them.

10/25/2007 5:06:12 PM

Malaysia

Hi Cherylee, I am interested in these Culinary Pumpkins too. Kindly keep me informed as you look for these seeds.
I have one variety here in Malaysia which we cook and eat.
It grows to only about 10 lbs. Very tasty though.

10/25/2007 8:59:50 PM

SF Bay Area, California

My God! eating pumpkins is like cannibalism.... These are my friends... please do not eat them!

10/25/2007 10:24:30 PM

Pumpkintown, SC

Burp! Oops, sorry...

10/26/2007 12:51:08 AM

San Jose [email protected]

lol --anaid

10/27/2007 10:05:33 PM