Pumpkin belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and its plant is the squash plant. It requires a warm and humid climate to grow. Its origin is uncertain, but it seems to be from South Asia, from where it arrived in Central America, spreading throughout the country from north to south. Currently, it is cultivated worldwide, mainly in warmer climates. The pumpkin is not only used in gastronomy but also in decoration, as its shape and color lend themselves well to creating original objects. For a long time, it has become the star object of Halloween nights (United States) or Day of the Dead (Mexico and other Latin American countries), as it represents a skull in a childlike manner.

What’s in 1 cup (170g) of pumpkin 71 calories • 40 percent of the daily requirement of vitamin E • 100 percent of the daily requirement of vitamin A in the form of the anticancer and antioxidant beta-carotene • B vitamins for energy production • fiber to maintain digestive health • lutein that protects the eyes • magnesium and potassium for proper heart function.

Season Although some varieties are available year-round, pumpkins are especially abundant in late autumn and during winter. Buying pumpkins When choosing any variety of pumpkin, look for those that are dry, hard, with a solid skin and no soft spots or bruises. Choose smaller pumpkins for their sweet flavor and tender flesh, 1kg of butter pumpkin produces about 3 cups of puree. Make sure they still have their stems to check that no insects have attacked them. Storage Store it in a paper bag in the refrigerator for up to a week. For the best flavor, use it on the same day you purchase it. Whole pumpkins can be stored at room temperature for 3 months. Preparation Use a large knife to cut it in half. You can use a kitchen knife or a vegetable peeler to remove the skin from smooth-skinned pumpkins. It is almost impossible to peel rough-skinned varieties. Remove the seeds and the fibrous pulp. Cut the flesh into small pieces. Nutritional values Pumpkins contain 90% water, very few calories, low carbohydrates, and a lot of fiber. They are ideal for those who want to follow a weight-loss diet. Pumpkin contains: - Vitamins: A in large amounts and C in smaller quantities, then less E, B1, B2, B3, B6. - Minerals: Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Cobalt, Boron, Zinc. - Others: Folates, Beta-carotenes, Oxalic acid, A.linoleic, A. aspartic, A. oleic, A. palmitic, lecithin, amino acids. Cooking recipes that contain pumpkin: - Pumpkin Flower Soup - Pumpkin and Mushroom Soup - Pumpkin Soup with Cumin - Pumpkin Pudding - More recipes with Pumpkin