How to Pick a Pumpkin

More than $150 million is spent on pumpkins each year. With a growing area of 175,000 acres, about 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins will be produced in almost any given year. With that many pumpkins and a large number of varieties of pumpkins, it's hard to determine how to pick the perfect pumpkin for your purpose. But, with some basic information, the process becomes very simple. Read on to learn how to pick a pumpkin.

Instructions

1. Look at the color. Pumpkins with a rich orange color are of higher quality. Pumpkins with a less orange appearance would be of lower quality. Depending on what you're going to be using your pumpkin for, this makes a significant difference. The quality of the pumpkin also influences the length of its shelf-life.

2. Test for maturity. A mature pumpkin, which is preferable when selecting for a pie or other recipe, is resistant to scratching. Use your thumbnail to scratch the pumpkin. If it scratches easily, the pulp may not be ripe or fully grown.

3. Look at the size. If you want a pumpkin for a Jack o' lantern, a larger well-shaped pumpkin would be preferable. Smaller, heavier pumpkins contain more pulp and are better for pies and other recipes.

4. Avoid pumpkins with surface damage. Damage to the surface of the pumpkin quickly leads to a shortened shelf-life and decay.

5. Pick one that just looks "right." You know your pumpkin's purpose. If you're strictly using it for decorating purposes, you may just automatically know your pumpkin when you see it. Size, color and surface characteristics may all add into what makes a pumpkin "right" for your purposes.