Fairy pumpkins are a type of winter squash with a sweet, buttery flavor that makes them great for pumpkin pies. They can be baked, baked, sautéed, and stewed, as well as eaten raw.
Fairy pumpkins are medium to large, 30-45 centimeters in diameter and weigh 15-20 pounds, and are round with a stocky, flattened shape and a firm, light brown stem. The smooth bark is deeply lobed with pronounced ribbing and turns from dark green to a rich light brown to tan when mature. The bright orange flesh is dense, firm, and tender, and surrounds a small central cavity that contains the pulp and flat, cream-colored seeds. Once cooked, Fairytale pumpkins are smooth, creamy, and tender with a spicy aroma and mildly sweet taste.
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What are fairy pumpkins?
Pumpkins are a large, flat member of the Cucurbitaceae family with sweet, edible flesh that is ideal for cooking and baking. Winter squash, has large, deep ribs, turns dark green to orange-brown when ripe, and commonly grows to 20 pounds or more. Its pulp is orange-yellow. It is sometimes categorized as “cheese pumpkin”, but that has nothing to do with its taste. Rather, the term refers to any pumpkin whose flat shape somewhat resembles cheese wheels.
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Fairytale pumpkins are also called Musquée de Provence, Moscata di Provenza, and Castilla squash. It belongs to the species Cucurbita moschata, which comes from the Caribbean. They are also popular in the Philippines, Mexico, and El Salvador, where their flowers, known as flor de calabaza, are sometimes used as an ingredient in traditional pupusas.
As a winter squash (technically a fruit), fairy pumpkins spend up to 100 days on the vine, unlike summer squashes, which are harvested in as little as 40 to 70 days. This extra time is necessary for winter squashes such as fairy pumpkins to develop their hard shell. Fairy pumpkins are somewhat of a rarity among hard-shelled winter squashes, as they are one of the few cultivars that can be eaten raw. Fairy pumpkins are popular in France, where they are sold in wedges at markets.
How to cook with fairy pumpkins
Fairytale pumpkins can be cooked using all the usual pumpkin cooking methods. Baking is one of the most common ways to enjoy fairy pumpkins, especially for making pumpkin pie. It is also suitable for baking, which brings out extra sweetness, as well as sautéing, stewing, and steaming. When cooked, it can be used in casseroles, pasta and risotto, stews and curries, soups and sauces, and as a pizza topping. It pairs well with pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg, and garlic and can be served with ground meats, poultry, sausage, grains, and other squash. In addition to pies, fairy pumpkins can also be used to bake cookies, cakes, and muffins.
You can also enjoy fairy pumpkin raw, as a snack, as an ingredient in a salad, or as a decoration for pasta or stew.
To bake fairy pumpkins, you can cut the pumpkin into wedges using the ribs as a guide and then scoop out the seeds and flesh. Brush the pumpkin flesh lightly with olive oil, season with salt, and bake in a 400°C oven for about 40 minutes, turning once during this time. After cooking, the pulp will be soft.
- Pumpkin Pie
- Pumpkin soup
- Baked pumpkin
- Pumpkin risotto
- Pumpkin cake
How do they taste?
Fairytale pumpkins have a rich, buttery, sweet flavor with a smooth, dense texture similar to butternut squash. When roasted, they gain additional sweetness as the starches caramelize and turn into sugar.
Fairy tale pumpkin recipes
You can substitute fairy squash for virtually any recipe that calls for winter squash, including butternut squash, acorn squash, and kabocha.
- Mexican Candied Pumpkin
- Buttery Pumpkin Soup
- Kabocha Squash Tempura
Where to buy fairy pumpkins
Fairytale pumpkins can be found at farmers’ markets and in supermarket departments during the fall and winter months.
Storage space
A whole fairy pumpkin will last up to nine months if stored in a cool place out of sunlight. Once cut, it will keep in the fridge for up to a week. After cutting away from the skin, the pulp can be frozen and will last up to six months in the freezer.
Nutrition and benefits
A 100-gram serving of fairy squash is about 90 percent water and provides 34 calories, 1 gram of protein, 9 grams of carbohydrates, and 1 gram of fiber, along with negligible fat. It is also a source of vitamin A and beta carotene.1
Fairy tale vs. Cinderella Pumpkin
Because of their names and similar shapes, fairy pumpkins are often confused with Cinderella pumpkins. Cinderella pumpkins, also known as Rouge Vif d’Étampes, are similar in shape to fairy pumpkins but have a bright red-orange color as opposed to the orange-brown fairy. In addition, cinderella is less tasty and more watery, so it is less suitable for baking.
