Jack-O-Lantern Fact: Did You Know Pumpkin Is Not A Vegetable?

October 28, 2015

The fall holidays mark two of the major events that people in America celebrate very enthusiastically—Halloween and Thanksgiving. And both these celebrations go hand in hand with a very integral part of the American cuisine—pumpkin delicacies. From breads, soups, desserts, pies and the spookily carved jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins find their way into our homes this time of the year.

Speaking of pumpkins, here’s a fun fact which will blow your mind. Did you know that pumpkin is not actually a vegetable?

This orange fruit (that’s correct), which belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae, has long been classified as a vegetable, gourd and even squash. However, it is none of that; in fact it is a berry.

Botanists define berries as fleshy fruits which develop from a single flowering ovary, and since pumpkin follows this botanical stint during development, it definitely falls under the group of berries. Nevertheless, it is widely regarded as a vegetable in the culinary domain.

This luscious orange vegetable/berry is a nutritional powerhouse with good amounts of fiber, vitamin A, B, potassium, iron and zinc while being low in calories and fats. From reducing your risk of cancer, diabetes and obesity, pumpkin can also benefit your heart and brain and is great for your skin. Pumpkin seeds are a great source of zinc and also extend major health benefits.

So this Halloween when you carve those eerie expressions on your pumpkins, remember to share this fun fact with your friends and family.

Here are some cool ideas to prepare your home for Halloween:

PS: Head to our Food section for healthy recipes and the latest food trends.
Also, find quick and easy Nutrition tips here.