A hundred shades of orange, yellow, and blue. Some are even black or white. A myriad of shapes and sizes, from as teeny as a fist to as massive as a boulder. Pumpkins come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, making each one unique.
This diversity is what makes them the most popular ornamental fruits of fall.I
The Prettiest Pumpkins in the Patch
There are more than 45 different varieties of pumpkins all over the world. Here are among the most decorative ones that can be used to bedeck your home during the holidays:
1. Jack-Be-Little
These palm-sized minis are great for decorating small spaces. As they ripen, they turn uniformly orange and make adorable décors for individual table settings.
2. Rouge Vif D’Etampes
Named The Fairytale Pumpkin, the rouge vif d’etampes lends an enchanting vibe to your autumn display with its stunning color and beautiful shape. It’s definitely one of the prettiest pumpkins in the patch.
3. Jarrahdale
The Jarrahdale breaks the stereotypical orange hue of pumpkins with its beautiful shades of blue and gray. This winter pumpkin becomes a conversation starter when used as an attractive centerpiece. Plus, they make such flavorful pumpkin pies too.
4. Baby Boo
These miniature pumpkins are as cute as their name. Baby Boos may look like the ghosts of pumpkins past with their bone-white color, but they actually have a full-bodied taste. Moreover, they make excellent outdoor displays during the holidays because their color doesn’t easily change even with sun or frost.
5. Long Island Cheese
Long island cheese pumpkins are named so due to their resemblance to a wheel of cheese. Their sweet taste makes them very popular for pumpkin pies and treats.
6. Galeux d’Eysines
Want a pumpkin décor with a lot of character? The galeux d’eysines fits the bill. This ornamental pumpkin has a salmon-peach skin that is covered by peanut-like warts formed by sugars—a great addition to your porch or foyer display.
7. Black Futsu
Its black warty skin makes the Black Futsu a popular porch ornament around Halloween. But even with its scary exterior, it’s filled with sweet orange flesh that makes a delightful winter slaw.
8. Warty Goblin F1 Hybrid
Here’s a pumpkin that’ll spook even the ghosts on Halloween. Only the brave would dare touch the warty goblin with its eerily shiny skin covered with lurid, lumpy warts.
9. One Too Many F1 Hybrid
The reddish veins on this round white pumpkin makes it look like a bloodshot eye. This will definitely add some spook value to your Halloween décor.
10. Cotton Candy
Rivaling the Baby Boo as the ghosts of the pumpkin world, the Cotton Candy looks more like the round, traditional pumpkin we usually see. Except for its stark white color, that is. If you’re using this as an ornament, make sure you keep it in a cool, shady spot lest it turns yellow under the sun.
Are Pumpkins Packed with Nutrition?
About 90% of an entire pumpkin consists of water. That makes them low-calorie foods that are also very low in fat. One hundred grams of pumpkin only has 26 calories and one-tenth of a gram of fat.
But even if they contain mostly water, pumpkins are still high in fiber, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. The high fiber content of pumpkins aids in digestion and helps you feel full longer. The bright orange color of pumpkins is the result of its high beta-carotene content. This carotenoid is an excellent source of vitamin A, which helps keep our skin and eyes healthy. Not only that, pumpkin seeds are excellent sources of amino acids that boost brain power.
Whipping Up More Than Pumpkin Pies
All pumpkins can be cooked and eaten, but the smaller ones are usually sweeter and are best for cooking. Here are some dishes you can whip up for the holidays:
Keto Pumpkin Pie Fat Bombs
Unleash that pumpkin spice flavor while staying true to your keto diet. These pumpkin pie fat bombs can easily be whipped at home with a food processor. All you need are some pumpkin puree, cream cheese, sweetener, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and butter or coconut oil. You most likely have all these in your pantry, so go ahead and prep a batch now. Get the recipe here.
1 serving = 137 cal
Spiced Butternut Squash and Veggie Tagine
Butternut squash goes well with different kinds of vegetables. Go Mediterranean with this nutritional vegetable tagine with butternut squash. Take a trip to the grocery and get some butternuts, parsnips, swede, cauliflower, carrots, red pepper, chickpeas, and tomatoes. Prep these veggies, flavor them with coriander, cumin, turmeric, and salt, then boil them in vegetable stock. Get the recipe here.
1 serving = 150 cal
Pumpkin and Bean Soup
This fiber-rich and flavor-packed soup takes less than 30 minutes to prep and cook. It’s pretty much a mix-everything-and-heat kind of meal that requires only a handful of ingredients. Grab some white beans, pumpkins, apple juice, and onions. Season with some spices, cook, and enjoy! Get the recipe here.
1 serving = 27 cal
Cranberry Pumpkin Muffins
Start your day right with healthy muffins made with pumpkin and cranberries. Pair them with a glass of low-fat milk to get the day rolling. Get the recipe here.
1 serving = 17 cal
For a more comprehensive comparison of these dishes and other types of food, check out our interactive comparison tool!
Pumpkins Are Delightful All Year Round
While they take centerstage from fall to winter, pumpkins are available all year round. They’re not just good for decorations but make delightfully healthy dishes as well. It’s common knowledge that the pulp, seeds, skin, and flowers can be eaten, but every single part of a pumpkin is actually edible. You’d be surprised what treats you can whip up even with the leaves and the stems.
