Many growers cross-pollinate different varieties of pumpkins to create new ones. He grew the very first record-breaking pumpkin in 1893. It weighed 365 pounds. Pumpkins should be harvested before the first hard frost, which kills the vines and ruins pumpkins for storage. When pumpkins are mature, their vines and leaves shrivel, turn brown and die back.
Fruits turn from yellow to bright orange, and rinds harden.
Smaller, pie pumpkin varieties such as the New England Sugar or Baby Pam are good to use for cooking because they have a sweeter flavor. You can bake, boil, steam, or pressure-cook fresh pumpkin. In small amount of water, puncture and cook whole, or peel and cut into 1-inch cubes. Boil covered until tender. To puree the cooked pumpkin, scoop out and process in a blender until thick and smooth.