Heirloom pumpkins are those that are passed down from generation to generation, sometimes dating back several centuries. These pumpkins are often large, lumpy, bumpy, and imperfect. Which is why – in my opinion – they’re so, well, perfect. That they have a long history – unique to each variety – is pretty cool, too.
I thought I’d share with you 15 of my favorite varieties of heirlooms for decorating and for eating. With the exception of Winter Luxury, these pumpkins, with their thick rinds, tend to have a long storage life. So after November, I will often pull them off of my porch and tuck them away in storage so I can enjoy cooking them all winter long.
Winter Luxury Pumpkin
Vibrant orange with wide stripes of cork-like netting, Winter Luxury Pumpkin adds unique texture to displays while also making some of the best pumpkin pie you’ll ever taste. Dating back to 1893, this medium heirloom pumpkin is about the same size as a sugar pumpkin. Unlike most heirlooms, Winter Luxury does not store very well – so be sure to enjoy it in your Thanksgiving pies! More about Winter Luxury Pumpkin
Black Futsu Pumpkin
Black Futsu Pumpkin are petite heirloom pumpkins from Japan. Their warty appearance and shades of orange, forest green, and gray-black make them attractive in displays – but with sweet, nutty flesh, Black Futsu is excellent eating too. More about Black Futsu Pumpkin
Rouge Vif d’Etampes Pumpkin
I’m not sure it looks any more heirloom than the classic red-orange Rouge Vif D’Etampes. This slightly flattened, vibrant pumpkin is also known Cinderella Pumpkin (for obvious reasons!) Rouge Vif D’Etampes are a French heirloom, dating back to the 1880s. More about Rouge Vif D’Etampes Pumpkin
Galeux d’Eysines Pumpkin
Another French heirloom, Galeux D’Eysines Pumpkin has corky warts all over its peachy-pink skin. This large (10-20 pound) pumpkin adds perfect texture to displays but is also known for being excellent eating. More about Galeux D’Eysines Pumpkin
Triamble Pumpkin
Dating back to the early 1900s, Triamble is of Australian origin – and so unique! This small to medium pumpkin with its beautiful blue-green hue and three distinct lobes is so pretty in heirloom pumpkin displays. More about Triamble Pumpkin
Silver-Edged Pumpkin
This Mexican heirloom sports beautiful forest-green stripes on creamy pale green skin. Beloved for its silver-edged seeds, this small to medium pumpkin is nice in ornamental displays too. More about Silver-Edged Pumpkin
Long Island Cheese Pumpkin
Uniquely buff-colored, this medium pumpkin looks a bit like a wheel of cheese. This heirloom pumpkin is both attractive for displays and excellent for cooking. Long Island Cheese Pumpkin came to the Americas (specifically the Long Island Sound area) in the early 1800s, having originated in Central or South America and made its way north via trade routes. More about Long Island Cheese Pumpkin
Jarrahdale Pumpkin
This large heirloom is a beautiful pale gray-blue hue, and can grow quite large – up to 20 pounds! An Australian native, where most of the pumpkins are blue – not orange. More about Jarrahdale Pumpkin
Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin
Also known as Marina Di Chioggia Squash, this gorgeous and unique blue-green squash dates back to the 1600s. It hails from Italy, specifically the fishing village of Chioggia, near Venice. I love the texture and color this medium-to-large pumpkin adds to displays – and they’re excellent eating too. More about Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin
Flat White Boer Pumpkin
If you’re looking for a large, pure white pumpkin perfect for stacking, look no further than Flat White Boer! This beloved heirloom white pumpkin originates from southern Africa. More about Flat White Boer Pumpkin
Red Warty Thing Pumpkin
The literal-named Red Warty Thing heirloom pumpkin dates back to the late 1800s. Deep red-orange and bumpy as can be, this medium-to-large, 10-20 pound pumpkin is a must for fall displays. Excellent eating, too! More about Red Warty Thing Pumpkin
Yokohama Pumpkin
Known interchangeably as Yokohama Squash is a Japanese heirloom dating back to the late 1800s. This small-to-medium pumpkin is a gorgeous dusky black color. More about Yokohama Pumpkin
