Growing Pumpkins

[66Strat]

My son is hosting Thanksgiving Dinner this year. This will be the first time in 35 years that I have not hosted dinner. He is smoking a turkey and making grilled garlic potatoes and Caesar Salad. I will be making; oyster dressing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. I am using using Libby's pumpkin puree to make my pies.

Next year, I want to grow my own pumpkins and am asking for suggestions as to the best variety to grow for pies. Libby's uses a special Dickinson variety, supposedly unique to Libby's (Cucurbita moschata unbobtanium). Dickinson is one of the varieties that I am considering. Other varieties in contention are the Musquee de Provence and the Rouge Vif D'Etampes (AKA Cinderella Coach pumpkin). Any suggestions would be welcomed.

[DummyLoad]

My son is hosting Thanksgiving Dinner this year. This will be the first time in 35 years that I have not hosted dinner. He is smoking a turkey and making grilled garlic potatoes and Caesar Salad. I will be making; oyster dressing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. I am using using Libby's pumpkin puree to make my pies.

Next year, I want to grow my own pumpkins and am asking for suggestions as to the best variety to grow for pies. Libby's uses a special Dickinson variety, supposedly unique to Libby's (Cucurbita moschata unbobtanium). Dickinson is one of the varieties that I am considering. Other varieties in contention are the Musquee de Provence and the Rouge Vif D'Etampes (AKA Cinderella Coach pumpkin). Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Grow a row of each of all three you mentioned, make three pies, let your taste buds decide.   

--Pete

[shooter]

 
here in farm country, we just distinguish 'em;
carvin pumpkins or eatin pumpkins


to be fair, there's a 3rd group, ornamental pumpkins, but folks ain't too keen on Chinese made stuff here  

[66Strat]

My son is hosting Thanksgiving Dinner this year. This will be the first time in 35 years that I have not hosted dinner. He is smoking a turkey and making grilled garlic potatoes and Caesar Salad. I will be making; oyster dressing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. I am using using Libby's pumpkin puree to make my pies.

Next year, I want to grow my own pumpkins and am asking for suggestions as to the best variety to grow for pies. Libby's uses a special Dickinson variety, supposedly unique to Libby's (Cucurbita moschata unbobtanium). Dickinson is one of the varieties that I am considering. Other varieties in contention are the Musquee de Provence and the Rouge Vif D'Etampes (AKA Cinderella Coach pumpkin). Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Grow a row of each of all three you mentioned, make three pies, let your taste buds decide.   

--Pete

I thought about that but read that cross-pollination could be a problem. If that isn't a problem, then I will plant more than one variety. I may even grow some carving pumpkins for the neighborhood kids. Thanks for your advice.

[66Strat]

here in farm country, we just distinguish 'em;
carvin pumpkins or eatin pumpkins


to be fair, there's a 3rd group, ornamental pumpkins, but folks ain't too keen on Chinese made stuff here

I ain't too keen on Chinese made stuff either.

[PRR]

..I am using using Libby's pumpkin puree  ....

Checking another fact, I ran into this story:

Canned Pumpkin Isn't Actually Pumpkin?
-a viral social media rumor suggested the pumpkin in pumpkin pie is secretly produced from other squash.

As said there, and even in FDA guidelines, the difference cucumber squash or pumpkin is slim or none. If it is largish sweetish and yellowish, you say pumpkin. Yes, the Libby Select is an ugly pumpkin, but they peel the pale skin off long before you buy it.

[sluckey]

Research cushaw squash, AKA kershaw. They make great pumpkin pies, are easy to grow in the south, big size, and can also be prepared in several other ways. Just ask Martha.

[66Strat]

..I am using using Libby's pumpkin puree  ....

Checking another fact, I ran into this story:

Canned Pumpkin Isn't Actually Pumpkin?
-a viral social media rumor suggested the pumpkin in pumpkin pie is secretly produced from other squash.

As said there, and even in FDA guidelines, the difference cucumber squash or pumpkin is slim or none. If it is largish sweetish and yellowish, you say pumpkin. Yes, the Libby Select is an ugly pumpkin, but they peel the pale skin off long before you buy it.

I really don't care about pretty. I want something that is sweet, not stringy, and not watery. Dickinson appears to be a likely candidate. Although seeds are in short supply. Burpee does not have any.

Research curshaw squash, AKA kershaw. They make great pumpkin pies, are easy to grow in the south, big size, and can also be prepared in several other ways. Just ask Martha.

I'll check them out. Thanks.

Are squirrels and rabbits fond of pumpkins? Squirrels are abundant in the neighborhood and have demonstrated a penchant for devouring my neighbors' tomatoes.

[shooter]

Although seeds are in short supply.

the corn and sunflowers I grew this year I set aside 2 ears and 2 heads for the seeds
original price for the 1st grow was like $5 per pack, heirlooms, maybe 30 seeds, I now have 3 PT mason jars waiting for next year.

Are squirrels and rabbits fond of pumpkins

here the deer, skunks and groundhogs munch on the leftovers.  Raccoons will tear up a garden, take 2 bites next plant, take 2 bites,
a 22L seems to keep them at bay