Pumpkins were originally native to Southern North America and the South East of Mexico, and have been cultivated for thousands of years. They are now grown all over the world.

The word ‘pumpkin’ encompasses several different varieties of edible squashes, which all provide edible seeds. Pumpkins themselves are a type of berry, and the whole plant makes a very versatile foodstuff. Not only are the flesh and seeds edible, but the flowers are stuffed and eaten in Mexico, and pumpkin leaves are used as a vegetable in Africa.

Pumpkin seeds as a foodstuff are also called ‘Pepitas’