Pumpkins: High Water Content and Nutrition
Pumpkins are made up of approximately 90% water. This high percentage makes pumpkins useful additions to recipes by providing moisture without many calories. It also impacts texture. When cooking pumpkin soup, bread, or puree, understanding the water content is crucial.
The exact water percentage in a pumpkin depends on size and age but is typically 80-95 percent. Knowing this helps gardeners understand plants’ water needs for better care. To calculate, first weigh the pumpkin then soak it in water for 24 hours.
Pumpkins need about 1 inch of water weekly. Watering should be slow and deep to prevent diseases and pests. Stop watering pumpkins 7-10 days before harvest to increase flavor, curing, and storage time.
Facts about Pumpkins
- Pumpkins originated in Central America
- Eighty percent of pumpkin supply in the U.S. is available in October
- Pumpkin flowers are edible
- Illinois produced 564 million pounds of pumpkins in 2020, more than the other top 5 states combined