Gourdness gracious!

October 2025--It’s that time of the year again. Yup, people are enjoying pumpkin spice lattes and roasted pumpkin seeds, putting carved pumpkins on porches, and adding the mashed fibrous pulp to their favorite fall recipes.

It’s also time for the crowds to gather at pumpkin festivals, which are held all over the world. If by chance you happen to be in Germany, check out the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival--the largest of its kind in the world.

Did you know a quaint town in Illinois is considered the pumpkin capital of the United States? The town of Morton, located about two and a half hours southwest of Chicago, got its name mainly because the Libby pumpkin processing plant is located there, and this plant accounts for roughly 85% of the world’s canned pumpkin. Numerous pumpkin farms produce an immense number of pumpkins. It’s also official---in 1978, then-Illinois Gov. Jim Thompson proclaimed Morton the Pumpkin Capital of the World. Not sure if the ”worldly” title still holds true, but could be since tens of thousands of people attend Morton’s Pumpkin Festival each year.

So as not to leave out the other top producers, here are some others. Illinois is followed by Indiana, California, Michigan, and Virginia. Combined, these states produced more than 1.2 billion pounds in 2023.

Down in North Carolina, they host a “Punkin’ Chunkin’” event that draws thousands to watch pumpkins get chucked through the air, savor the flavor in pie-eating contests, kick up their heels with live entertainment and sit back to enjoy a hayride. There’s also a Chili Cook-Off competition on the Historic Hayesville Square. Not sure if anyone puts pumpkins in their chili, but it certainly is an interesting thought.

And all this because of a fruit? That’s right. Many think pumpkins are a vegetable, but according to an official with Texas A&M Agri-Life Extension Service, who is a vegetable specialist, pumpkins are a fruit. He says, scientifically speaking, anything that starts from a flower is botanically a fruit. Makes sense because you don’t normally eat vegetable pies, but you do eat fruit pies, right?

Many fall traditions revolve around a pumpkin, like filling a plastic orange pumpkin replica with goodies while out trick or treating, sitting around the kitchen table mastering carving skills, and then roasting the seeds for a snack. Did you know the tradition of carving pumpkins stems from Irish immigrants who brought their folklore to America?

Pumpkin display at the Hiawassee, Georgia, produce stand.

Decorations in and around houses usually include pumpkins, which, by the way, are part of the broader gourd and squash family, and are either carved or painted. People love to drive around to see the Christmas decorations—I do as well, but I love seeing all the houses and businesses decorated with pumpkins. Again, all this because of a fruit?

My guess is that most people carve and decorate, then get rid of the pumpkin without ever tasting it. But the actual flavor is generally a mild, earthy, and slightly sweet taste with nutty undertones. And when it’s “pumpkin spice,” that usually means it has some cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves to add flavor.

The sweetness could be the reason why calling someone pumpkin is a term of endearment, which is mostly used in America. So, to all of you pumpkins—enjoy the fall season and all things pumpkin.

Happy fall, y'all!

In the meantime, take it one day--or one pumpkin seed--at a time....

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