Pumpkin Varietals

When choosing a pumpkin it is important to look for a firm example, one that has undamaged skin and feels heavy for it's size. Also try and select a pumpkin which is fully mature. A mature pumpkin is normally shiny and smooth, whilst an immature one will be slightly sticky to the touch. Another indication is brown flecks (or corking) on the stem; the more flecks a pumpkin has the more mature it is. The most common varieties of pumpkin in New Zealand are:

BUTTERCUP SQUASH
namely Kurijiman, Ebisu and Delica with dark rich green speckled and striped skins.

BUTTERNUT
with a creamy beige skin and an elongated cylindrical / pear like shape

CROWN or GREY
namely Whangaparoa with it's hard blue / grey skin.

HALLOWEEN
namely Red Warren, with a bright orange hard and knobbly skin.

KUMI KUMI
originally called kamo kamo by Maori and considered particularly good for hangi.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH
where the baked flesh turns into spaghetti noodle like strands

MINI SQUASH or YUMPKINS
with names like sun drop, orange minikin, red hub, sunset squash, sweet mischief, and white acorn. Mini squash vary in flavour and are more commonly used for decorative purposes.

For more information on these varieties, choosing and storing pumpkins visit vegetables.co.nz