Pumpkins are members of the Cucurbitaceae family that includes cucumbers, gourds, melons, squash and zucchinis.
There are 42 varieties of pumpkin grown all over the world, on every continent except Antarctica.
Australian growers produce about 115,000 tonnes of pumpkins annually, with Queensland the largest producer at around 44,000 tonnes.
Common varieties of pumpkin grown here include Jarrahdale (aka Queensland Blue), Gramma, Kent, Japanese and Butternut.
The classic orange colour of ripe pumpkins is caused by carotene, a pigment also found in carrots, corn, bananas, daffodils, buttercups, egg yolks and canaries.
Pumpkins are 90 per cent water, low in fat and calories, high in fibre and rich in Vitamin A and potassium.
Pumpkin was once recommended as a cure for freckles.
The world-record heaviest pumpkin (1190.5 kg) was grown in Belgium…