Unusual Pumpkins and Winter Squash for Thanksgiving and Halloween Decor

Beyond standard orange pumpkins, explore warty, pink, blue, and heirloom varieties for stunning autumn displays that are also delicious.

Warty Wonders

'Knuckle Head' – slightly warty orange pumpkin (patented, seeds won't come true).

'Galeux d'Eysines' – 220-year-old French heirloom with peanut-like warts from sugar buildup; more warts = sweeter flesh. Great for pies, bread, cheesecake. Seeds saved for next year.

Ghostly Blue

'Jarrahdale' – Australian heirloom, muted blue-gray ribbed skin that shifts to peach with age. Bright orange, dry, sweet flesh. Stores up to 9 months.

Historical Note

Pilgrims survived harsh winters on pumpkins and squash thanks to Narragansett Indians. First Thanksgiving included pumpkin pie—hollowed small pumpkins filled with apples, sugar, spices, milk, baked in hot ashes.

Links: classic Thanksgiving recipes, cleaning/cooking pumpkin, growing your own.

By Doreen G. Howard