Definition of pumpkin

Following on from the thread about inned pumpkin, and the suggestion that one could use fresh pumpkin, I want to know what qualifies as a pumpkin. I am making pumpkin soup tonight with a butternut squash but am informed by my other half that it is NOT a pumpkin.  Only the ones with the orange skin are pumpkins. So, what's your definition of a pumpkin?

Great question, Liz!

A pumpkin is a type of squash, and there are many varieties of pumpkins.  I don't know the technical, botanical description of a pumpkin, but they tend to be roundish and orange.  I do think there are some varieties that are cream or yellow, though.

There are lots of different kind of squashes, and places like Sainsburies had a good selection:  acorn squash, butternut, etc.  They are similar, but all have a slightly different flavour or texture.  Some are sweeter, nuttier, etc. than others.

I'd have thought that your soup will be just fine with a butternut squash.  I think that butternut squash is richer and thicker than pumpkin.

I hope that helps.  I have a good squash cookbook (which is in transit with the rest of my household)  with hundreds of recipes.  If you are interested, as soon as my stuff arrives, I can pass on some to you. 

Let me know how your soup turns out!  Bon appetite!

Ta! I've made it many times with various kinds of "pumpkin" but butternut is my favourite.  I'd love to see some of your squash recipes when your book arrives, I love the stuff!

Mmm, your soup sounds very nice! Butternut squash is very tasty. 

Liz

would you care to share your recipe of the butternut squash soup, I'd love to try it 

Thanks,

I don't exactly have a recipe, I just make it up as I go along!    But what I do is this:

Fry half a medium sized onion
Add a crushed garlic clove, teaspoon of coriander and cumin, and some freshly ground black pepper
Add water and simmer
Add some vegetable bullion (I use Marigold brand)
In the meantime I nuke the (medium sized) squash in the microwave for a few minutes to make it easier to cut, then chop it and add to the rest and simmer til soft, then mash with a potato masher or you could blend it.

Sometimes I add milk for a creamy soup and sometimes I add red lentils for a thicker soup.

Let me know if you give it a try!

Britwife, when baby gets around to eating, we found our little one loved butternut squash and sweet potatoes, flavoured with a bit of apples or apple juice.  I'd bake the above until it was tender, mash and serve.

Hi!

I'm very new to the UK (been here only 2 months).  I love Halloween and carving pumpkins.  I realize that Halloween is barely celebrated here, but perhaps there's a place in or around London which sells pumpkings.  Any ideas?  I'd appreciate any help you can give.

We got our pumpkin last year from Asda, and I have to say for my husband's first attempt at pumpkin carving he did a FABLOUS job. 

Philip & I are both big fans of butternet squash!!

Hi!

I'm very new to the UK (been here only 2 months).  I love Halloween and carving pumpkins.  I realize that Halloween is barely celebrated here, but perhaps there's a place in or around London which sells pumpkings.  Any ideas?  I'd appreciate any help you can give.

i've seen them in the Co-op