Pumpkin is the name of a plant that refers to certain cultivars of squash, most commonly those of Cucurbita pepo, that are round, with smooth, slightly ribbed skin and deep yellow to orange coloration. The thick shell contains the seeds and pulp. Pumpkins, like other squash, are native to North America. The oldest evidence, pumpkin-related seeds dating between 7000 and 5500 BC, were found in Mexico. Pumpkins are widely grown for commercial use, and are used both in food and recreation.
The main nutrients in Pumpkins are lutein and both alpha and beta carotene (giving the orange colour), the latter of which generates vitamin A in the body.
Preliminary research indicates that phytochemicals found in pumpkin may favorably affect insulin and glucose levels in laboratory diabetes models.
Non-food related activities of pumpkins include Halloween (carving of the traditional Jack-o-Lantern in the USA), and a sport called Chunking (a competitive activity in which teams build various mechanical devices designed to throw a pumpkin as far as possible. Catapults, trebuchets, ballistas and air cannons are the most common mechanisms).