Ethiopia pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima), comes from different parts of the country especially the Tigray region to the north and the southern zones.

It is the largest of the squash family fruits and can attain gigantic sizes. It grows in a ribbed green color, but ripens in a bright color such as yellow or orange. It typically has a thick, orange or yellow shell, creased from the stem to the bottom, containing the seeds and pulp.

Pumpkin is monoecious, having both male and female flowers on the same plant. The female flower is distinguished by the small ovary at the base of the petals. This bright and colorful flower has extremely short life spans and may only open for as short a time as one day. The color of pumpkin is derived from the orange pigments abundant in it. The main nutrients are lutein and both alpha and beta carotene, the latter of which generates vitamin A in the body.

Specifications