Pumpkins for Delivery or Pickup

Pumpkins are a popular winter squash that you're probably quite familiar with. These bright orange gourds are often used as decorations in the fall months when they pile on porches either whole or in the form of carved jack-o'-lanterns. Pumpkins are a delicious fruit and offer a wealth of health benefits and a wide range of uses. The earthy, sweet flavor of pumpkin is synonymous with seasonal autumn activities.

Pumpkins originated in Central America, but they're widely grown throughout the United States. Indigenous North Americans began cultivating pumpkins before even corn or beans. All states now produce pumpkins, and the top growers are Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, California, Texas, and Virginia. These six states accounted for about 40% of the pumpkin crop in the United States in 2017. Pumpkins are typically harvested in October. 80% of the pumpkin crop in the U.S. is available during this one month.

When you're selecting pumpkins, you should look for one with:

You should avoid pumpkins that are bruised, discolored, or soft. These are signs that the pumpkin is no longer at peak ripeness, and it will rot quickly.

If you're purchasing pumpkins to use decoratively, you may also have preferences about shape and color. You can leave notes for your Instacart shopper regarding the exact type of pumpkin you're looking for. Perhaps you want a small pumpkin for cooking, a giant pumpkin for carving, or a selection of diverse pumpkins to make a harvest display. Let your shopper know what to look for so you can have the perfect pumpkins delivered to your door!

Many people are familiar with the process of carving pumpkins for Halloween but don't know how to use them for cooking. One of the easiest ways to prepare a pumpkin is to cook it in the oven. Slice the pumpkin in half vertically and scoop out the seeds and fibrous strands. Place the pumpkin skin-side-up on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour. The pumpkin is ready to eat when the flesh is soft.

You can scoop the flesh of a cooked pumpkin from the skin easily. It will be very soft. You can turn this into pumpkin puree by putting it in a food processor.

Pumpkin pie is a classic recipe for this fruit, but there are many other dishes that you can make with pumpkin as well, including muffins, breads, and cheesecake. Pumpkin spice seasoning is a popular choice for the traditional flavor that's associated with autumn pumpkin recipes. This spice blend typically includes cinnamon, ginger, allspice or cloves, and nutmeg.

You can also use pumpkin in autumnal soups, hummus, and pasta dishes. Include it with vegetables like Brussels sprouts in a side dish, or serve it with other fruits such as apricots. You can even turn a small pumpkin into a bowl for risotto or a similar filling.

Pumpkin seeds are edible as well. Lightly roast them with your preferred seasoning to make a healthy snack or crunchy topping for salads and other dishes.