Pumpkin and Squash Seeds

The terms 'pumpkin' and 'squash' are rather loose, but both refer to annual plants which usually have a trailing habit. They are divided into 'summer' and 'autumn/winter' types, depending on when they are harvested. Generally speaking, summer squashes are harvested and eaten, usually fried or boiled, while still young, whereas winter squashes and pumpkins tend to be baked or stored cool and dry for future use. Winter squashes are normally white-fleshed, while pumpkins have orange flesh. Having said all that, there are no hard and fast rules!

The name 'pumpkin' probably came from the Greek 'pepon', which translates as 'large melon'. In French it became 'pompon', transforming again into English as 'pumpion'. Shakespeare referred to it thus in The ''Merry Wives of Windsor''.