Pie Pumpkins
Pie pumpkins, also known as "sugar" or "sweet" pumpkins, are a smaller variety cultivated for cooking and baking rather than decoration. Unlike larger carving pumpkins, they have denser, smoother, and sweeter flesh, making them ideal for pies, soups, purées, breads, muffins, and custards.
Their fine-grained, deep orange flesh cooks into a velvety, creamy purée—perfect for flavorful, smooth pumpkin pie filling. Fresh purée delivers vibrant flavor and natural sweetness, enhancing both sweet and savory dishes.
Pie pumpkins can substitute dense winter squashes like butternut, kabocha, or acorn squash. Pie pumpkins are preferred for traditional pumpkin flavor and lower moisture, which requires less thickening when baking.
Versatile and nutrient-rich, pie pumpkins are prized for their rich flavor, easy preparation, and adaptability, making them a seasonal favorite for home cooks and chefs alike.