Italian pumpkins? The export flies!

The export of Made in Italy pumpkins is literally flying at record speed, according to the latest report released by Coldiretti association. The data were published on the recent “Pumpkin Day”, which is held all over Italy as a way to celebrate Halloween: the event includes the traditional pumpkin carving and the display of amazing, monstrous sculptures, but also wonderful recipes that see pumpkins as the main star.

According to Coldiretti, the production of 100% Italian pumpkins is growing at around 400 million of kilograms per year. Usually, these pumpkins are not decorative but edible, and therefore mainly destined to human consumption, even though the cultivation of pumpkin varieties for ornamental purposes is registering a great acceleration as well. One of the biggest specimen of ornamental pumpkins weighted about 400 kilograms.

Along several international varieties of pumpkins, many farmers in Italy are getting more and more engaged in the conservation of traditional specimen of pumpkins, such as the sea squash of Chioggia, the Ferrara violin pumpkin, the Castellazzo Bormida pumpkin and the Lardaia squash of Siena: these specific varieties can be found in the classic farmers’ markets all over Italy.

Pumpkin is one of the most appreciated ingredients for many Italian recipes, especially during the coldest months of the year: think about the famous tortelli! It can be used both for salty and sweet dishes but can also be combined with pasta, meat, cheese and cakes. Final surprise: in Italy, a pumpkin beer is also produced!