How many types of pumpkin are available in Australia? Turns out there’s quite a few! Who doesn’t love some pumpkin on pumpkin muffin recipe cold winter night? This delicious fruit is a perfect complement to any hearty home-cooked meal.
But how familiar are you with the different pumpkin types in Australia? What are the different pumpkin varieties in Australia? If you like sweet and savoury pumpkin soup or spring-inspired salads and quiches, this is an excellent base to build a meal around. These are some of the largest-growing pumpkins out there.
Because of their size, they’re ideal for boiled or baked food, with a smoky, savoury taste that fits with plenty of curries and scones. A little smaller than the Queensland blue, these pumpkins are the ones that end up on our tables the most. It cuts easily and has moist flesh, making it perfect for boiling and garnishing with other dishes. When you think Halloween jack-o’-lanterns, you think of the Golden Nugget. Thin-walled and easily cut, it’s a pumpkin you can use for a variety of purposes after hollowing it out.
For flavouring, it’s best combined with baked products like pies, casseroles, and other pasta dishes. The butternut is the most versatile pumpkin you can harvest, with a dry, dense, yet sweet interior that makes it perfect for roasting and seasoning. It’s also a pumpkin you don’t have to peel, and the cylindrical shape makes it easy to cut! The sweet flavour combined with the moist texture makes it a perfect addition to many home recipes like rice meals and cheese dishes, though it’s also great when served on its own.
Pumpkins can last for a really long time, so even after harvest, fresh pumpkins can last for weeks. Keep them at room temperature and away from moisture. Once cut, pumpkins can last for two to three days if stored in the fridge. Pre-canned pumpkins can last until the expiration date until opened, in which case you have two to three days to consume them. To soften pumpkins, cut side down, place on a dish, then microwave on high until tender. Unless specified, don’t consume pumpkins with their skin.