Think Pumpkins Are Vegetables? Think Again

Every fall, someone inevitably asks whether pumpkins are fruits or vegetables. And every fall, people get the answer wrong.

Pumpkins are fruit because they have seeds. Bottom line. That's what makes something a fruit. If that confuses you, blame botanical classification, not the pumpkin.

Here's the thing that confuses people: pumpkins don't taste like fruit. They're not sweet like apples or juicy like strawberries. They're savory and earthy, which makes people want to call them vegetables. But botanically speaking, that doesn't matter. Seeds equal fruit. End of debate.

The Easiest Way To Understand The Difference

Fruits have seeds, vegetables don't. With vegetables, we eat the leaves, stems, roots, or bulbs—think lettuce, celery, carrots, onions. With fruits, we eat the pollinated bloom or flower of the plant. That includes pumpkins, tomatoes, cucumbers, and yes, even bananas.

Pumpkins Are Actually A Lot Of Things

Pumpkins belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes over 900 species. Watermelons are in there. Cucumbers too. The genus Cucurbita—commonly called "squash"—falls under this family, which means your classic orange pumpkin is also technically a winter squash.

And here's where it gets messier: in the U.S., any round orange squash can be called a pumpkin. There's no actual botanical definition for "pumpkin." It's just a term we use. Similarly, "gourd" is the conventional name for plants in certain genera, so a pumpkin is also technically a gourd.

So pumpkins are squash, gourds, and fruit all at once. If you've been calling squash your favorite fall vegetable, sorry, you've been wrong this whole time.

Oh, and pumpkins are also berries. Yes, really. Encyclopedia Britannica defines a berry as "a simple fleshy fruit that usually has many seeds...derived from a single ovary of an individual flower." That includes pumpkins, watermelons, tomatoes, and bananas. So next time someone tries to impress you with the "tomatoes are berries" fact, hit them with pumpkins.

Why Pumpkins Are Actually Good for You

Pumpkin spice lattes are everywhere in fall, but actual pumpkins are way more nutritious than whatever syrup Starbucks is pumping into those drinks.

One cup of mashed pumpkin has 78 percent of your daily recommended vitamin A, 13 percent of vitamin C, 17 percent of potassium, and 5 percent of magnesium. All that for just 49 calories.

Vitamins A and C are both important for your immune system. They help boost white blood cell production, which fights off infections. Vitamin A also keeps your eyes healthy and can reduce the risk of vision loss. Pumpkins contain carotenoids like lutein, which lower the risk of cataracts.

Potassium and magnesium are essential for heart health. They help regulate blood pressure. Potassium also keeps muscles and nerves functioning properly, which makes it one of the most vital minerals your body needs. Magnesium does some of that too, but it's especially good for bone health as you age.

That cup of mashed pumpkin also has 2.7 grams of dietary fiber, which helps you feel full longer. High-fiber diets improve gut health, support heart health, and help regulate blood sugar levels.

Then there's beta-carotene, the antioxidant that gives pumpkins their orange color. Pumpkins also contain alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, both beneficial antioxidants.

Antioxidants reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers. They help your body get rid of free radicals, which damage skin cells and speed up aging. Beta-carotene is particularly good for skin texture and acts as a natural sunblock. Your body converts it into vitamin A, taking only what it needs. Good thing too, because too much vitamin A can be harmful.

Don't Sleep on Pumpkin Seeds

The seeds are what technically make pumpkins a fruit, but they're also one of the best parts to eat. One ounce of roasted pumpkin seeds packs nearly 2 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein.

Protein helps build strength and muscle mass. It's good for bone health. It reduces hunger cravings and boosts metabolism. Roasted pumpkin seeds with some salt and seasoning? That's a snack that's actually doing something for you.

You can eat the whole seed too, shells included, and plenty of people do. But if you find them too hard or they bother your stomach, just eat the pepitas inside.

Are All Pumpkins Edible?

Yeah, even that giant jack-o'-lantern sitting on your porch and those tiny decorative pumpkins are edible if you roast them. Some are easier to cook and taste better than others, but technically, they're all fair game.

So next time someone asks if pumpkins are fruits or vegetables, you can confidently tell them they're fruit.

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