Trick or treat! It's Halloween and that means time for pumpkins. According to the Rhineland Farmer's Federation (RLV), many people have carved their pumpkins and placed them in front of their houses. There are about 800 different pumpkin varieties.
According to the RLV, the celebration of Halloween originates from Ireland and the USA. Pumpkins are not only for decorative purposes. There are also edible pumpkins that are used as an ingredient in soups or other recipes. There are many different edible pumpkin varieties, such as the Hakkaido pumpkin, the Butternut squash and the Winter squash that distinguish themselves from the other varieties because of their taste and shape. In Germany, the Hokkaido pumpkin is the pumpkin variety that is grown the most. Also popular is the Oil pumpkin which has very oily seeds that are used for the production of pumpkin seed oil. Pumpkins are planted in May. They are thermophilic and grow best in the penumbra. Pumpkins are often harvested in September.
Where and how many: In Germany, pumpkins are grown on an area of about 3.500 hectares. In 2015, about 68.500 tons of edible pumpkins were harvested.
Interesting facts: If a pumpkin sounds hollow when you knock on it, it is ripe. Pumpkins can be stored for four to six months at a temperature of 10 to 15 degrees Celsius (50-59 degrees Fahrenheit). If you coat the inside of a carved Halloween pumpkin with vinegar, it will last longer.
Source: RLV