Pumpkin season begins with harvesting and nutritional highlights

The autumn pumpkin season has officially begun, offering various opportunities for harvesting and consumption. In the Franconia region of Germany, several locations allow visitors to pick their own pumpkins. At the Huckepack self-harvest field in Erlangen-Hüttendorf, visitors can harvest until the end of October. Nearby, Jerry’s Pumpkin Patch in Litzlohe offers pumpkin picking and tractor rides through the landscape.

For those preferring to purchase rather than harvest, Schnell’s Pumpkin Farm in Kammerstein-Neppersreuth sells various varieties, including Hokkaido, Butternut, Muskat, Spaghetti, and Halloween pumpkins, from September through December.

Nutritionally, pumpkins are highly water-rich, consisting of approximately 90 percent water. They are low in calories, containing about 29 kcal per 100 grams, and are very low in fat. They are a significant source of carotenoids, which act as antioxidants and serve as precursors to Vitamin A, and they also provide potassium, which supports healthy blood pressure.