Is a Pumpkin a Fruit or a Vegetable?
Used in both sweet and savory recipes ranging from pies and cakes to chilis, salads, soups and more, pumpkins are a seasonal staple in the fall. But have you ever wondered if a pumpkin is a fruit or a vegetable? Read on to find out.
See more: 27 Pumpkin Recipes to Make This Fall
Are Pumpkins Fruits or Vegetables?
Pumpkins are … fruits. That might seem surprising at first since pumpkins don’t taste sweet on their own, but their classification has to do with the part of the plant they come from. Pumpkins are the product of the flowering plant and contain seeds inside, just like all other fruits, including strawberries, melons, apples and more. You might also be surprised to learn that tomatoes, cucumbers, avocados and peppers are also classified as fruits for the same reason.
Vegetables, on the other hand, don’t contain seeds. They are the flowers, bulbs, leaves and stems of a plant, like lettuce, spinach onions, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, for example.
But fruit or vegetable, one thing is certain: Pumpkins taste great in all kinds of recipes, from decadent desserts to hearty soups and stews to your favorite seasonal drink from your local coffee shop.
See more: Yams vs. Sweet Potatoes: What’s the Difference?
Pumpkin Recipes
Ready to get cooking with pumpkins this fall? Check out a few of our favorite sweet and savory pumpkin recipes:
- Pumpkin Roll
- Pumpkin Maple Pecan Bread Pudding
- Roasted Pumpkin Quinoa Salad
- Pumpkin-Stuffed Shells with Toasted Walnuts and Arugula
- Pumpkin Pie Cookies with Cran-Orange Glaze
- Dirty Pumpkin Pie Latte
- Peanut Pumpkin Hummus with Homemade Peanut Crackers
- Best Ever Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars
See more: 12 Unique Ways to Decorate Your Home with Pumpkins
Pumped for Pumpkin
Want to plant your own pumpkins? Keep the seeds from your jack-0′-lantern carving and learn how to save pumpkin seeds for next fall. Check out more of our pumpkin facts and gardening articles here: