Pumpkins’ journey from ancient food staple to spicy fall obsession spans thousands of years

US farmers grow over 1 billion pounds of pumpkin each year.

By: Shelley Mitchell, Oklahoma State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: October 24, 2025

Words: 1,095

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

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By Shelley Mitchell, Oklahoma State University

October in much of the U.S. brings cooler weather, vibrant fall colors and, of course, pumpkin-spiced everything. This is peak pumpkin season, with most of the American pumpkin crop harvested in October.

With the pumpkin spice craze fully underway, I find myself thinking more about pumpkins. As an extension specialist working at Oklahoma State University’s botanic garden, I educate the people pouring in to buy pumpkins at our …

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