Cooking with Pumpkin

Q. After Halloween, my family always has a left-over pumpkin. What type of pumpkin is best for use in fall recipes?

A. Like squash, muskmelon, and watermelon, pumpkin is a member of the gourd family.

Pumpkins are very adaptable and can be grown just about anywhere. They range in size and weight from a few pounds to well over 100 pounds.

Pumpkins are naturally good for you. They are high in fiber, Vitamin A, and potassium. Fresh pumpkins are available from September through November.

Larger field pumpkins, the ones found at roadside stands and grocery stores in October, are ideal for carving jack-o-lanterns.

Cheese or sugar pumpkins have a sweet flesh that makes an excellent filling for pies and other baked goods.