Pumpkin
(Cucurbita pepo)
Pumpkin
Pumpkin
Selection
Choose young shoots and leaves.
Storage
Keep in a dry, shady place. Can be dried or frozen for longer storage.
Preparation
- Wash well before use.
- Remove tough stems.
- Can boil leaves and tips that pair well with coconut milk/cream.
- Fruit can be baked, boiled, steamed, or made into soup or desserts.
- Seeds can be removed and then boiled, toasted, or dried.
- Can cook fruit in skin.
- (Secretariat of the Pacific Community, 1995).
Photo Source
J. Hollyer
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a common vegetable grown throughout the Pacific region. Its young leaves, tendrils, and growing points can be consumed as leafy greens. Pumpkins grow best during cooler periods in the year but do not fare well in wet and humid environments because of the risk of contracting fungal diseases (Bailey, 1992).
Traditional Names
- Chamorro – kalamasa
- Hawaiian – pala‘ai
- Kosraean – pumpkin
- Marshallese – bolok in paanke
- Palauan – kalebasang
- Pohnpeian – pwengkin
- Samoan – tumutumu maukeni
- Yapese – galbas, p’aw ni gamanman; galbaase