India is the second-largest producer of pumpkins in the world after China. These yellow and green fruits (yes, they are technically fruits because they contain seeds) are favoured for their mild to sweet taste that goes really well in vegetable and soup preparations.
Pumpkin seeds have also lately become a daily must-have for the health-conscious: when eaten fresh, these seeds can be juicy and nutty at the same time.
There are dozens of varieties of pumpkins that grow in India. Of these, the most popular commercial varieties are Arka Suryamukhi, Ambili, Arka Chandan, Saras, Suvarna, and Sooraj. Here are some things you might like to know about the (seemingly) humble pumpkin:
Scientific name: Cucurbita maxima
Family: Cucurbitaceae family, the same family as cucumbers, watermelons, zucchinis.
Common name: Depending on which part of India you’re in, a pumpkin may be known as gummadi kaya (Telugu), poosanikai (Tamil), kumbalakai (Kannada), mathanga (Malayalam), lal bhopala (Marathi), kaddu (Hindi), petha (Punjabi) or kollaano velo (Gujarati).
Native region: Central America and Mexico
Geographical distribution: Now, pumpkins are grown all over the world, including in India.
There’s an interesting story around the name pumpkin: it comes from the word pompion meaning large (gros) melon. The 16th century French explorer Jacques Cartier gave the pumpkin this name after he saw it for the first time in the Americas.
Another fun fact: The tradition of carving pumpkins for Halloween, observed each year on 31 October, began when Irish immigrants arrived in North America—before that, the Irish were making Jack O’Lanterns with potatoes and turnips.
Pumpkins have many health benefits, including weight loss and keeping the eyes healthy. On Halloween day, we bring to you an article on all the reasons why you should include this delicious fruit in your weekly meal plans. So, read on.
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