From July to January, Germany ushers in Kürbiszeit. A season where pumpkins of every shape and shade take centre stage. Markets brim with vibrant varieties from deep orange Hokkaido to curious Spaghetti squash and decorative Turban gourds. It’s not just about soups and stews, this is a time of festivals, farm visits, and cosy traditions that stretch from sun-drenched late summer to the frost-kissed heart of winter.
For those new to life in Germany, Kürbiszeit is a wonderful way to experience local culture. Visit pumpkin patches, join in autumn celebrations, and warm your kitchen with comforting seasonal recipes. No matter where you’re from, there’s a place for you at the pumpkin table.
The range of pumpkins available in Germany has grown steadily over the years. Not too long ago, Butternut squash was nearly impossible to find—now it’s a regular on supermarket shelves. Still, some beloved varieties, especially those familiar to South Africans, remain rare or absent.
Some South African speciality shops in Germany do sell authentic Gem squash when it’s in season—worth stocking up if you spot them!
Gem Squash tastes just like home Postal orders 6kg total cost for postage and packaging is 20€ Collections in either Ulm or Bad Waldsee cost 5kg is 10€ Please email sonjakohloffel@gmail.com with orders by no later than close of business on Fridays Orders will be sent out on Monday morning. Thank you for your support
A variety of South African products Home made biltong, boerewors, droëwors and chilli bites. Lamb chops. Maize Meal and Samp Maltabella, Jungle Oats, Kreemymeelm and ProNutro Rooibos, Five Roses, Ricoffy, Frisco and Milo Alcoholic drinks like Klipdrift Brandy, JC le Roux, Sedgwick’s Old Brown, Savanna, Hunter’s, Lion Lager and many more Seasonal – Gem Squash Home made fish paste Deliveries and collections.
| German Name | English Name | How to use | Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Muskatkürbis | Crookneck pumpkin | Have to peel. Good for soups, baking or grilling, cooked. When hollowed out, it can be used as a soup bowl. | The rich orange meat is firm and tastes fine, nutty, fruity, and almost sweet with a slight hint of nutmeg. Can be stored for a long time |
 | Birnen-Kürbis | Butternut | Good for frying, stewing, steaming and stuffing. Ideal for soups, purees, cakes, jams or compotes. Goes well with garlic and chilli | It can be stored for a long time. |
 | Hokkaido | Hokkaido | Popular in soups, puree, gratin or goulash. It is also suitable for compote or pie. It does not have to be peeled, as the hard skin becomes soft when cooked. Can also be eaten raw | September until October. Stores well |
 | Spaghetti-Kürbis | Spaghetti Squash | Good as a salad, with sauce, cheese or meat. It can be cooked whole. You don’t need to remove the seeds before cooking. The pumpkin flesh is noodle-like after cooking. Can be used as a substitute for spaghetti and served with pesto or other pasta sauces | September until January. Do not store for long |
 | Patisson or UFO-Kürbis | Custard or Patisson squash | Look for young vegetables. It is suitable for filling. Can be grilled or fried. The flower is edible. The peel is edible | Do not store for long. |
 | Eichelkürbis | Acorn Squash | Tastes best when baked. The flower is also edible. Can be used in savoury and sweet dishes. | Looks very similar to Gem squash, but it is not the same |
 | Steirischer Ölkürbis | Cucurbita pepo var. styriaca | It can be used for all dishes, also for jams and chutneys. The seeds are used for Pumpkin seed oil or as a roasted snack. | |
 | Turbankürbis or Bischofsmütze | Turban squash | Floury consistency. Suitable for soups and purees. It is suitable for filling. Can be used in Moussaka. | Stores very well |
 | Gorgonzolakürbis | Gorgonzola pumpkin | Raw side dish with fish or as a snack. | Stores very well |
The finest pumpkin seed oil comes from Austria’s Styria district, known for its rich, nutty flavour. This oil is perfect for enhancing salad dressings or adding depth to pumpkin soup. Just a few drops are enough to elevate the flavour, and it’s often added directly at the table for a finishing touch.
Try a hearty pumpkin soup with pumpkin seed oil or Stuffed Hokkaido Pumpkin.
If you would like to share your favourite pumpkin recipe on the website you can add it via an online form. Recipes will be published on this website. You can upload two pictures per recipe
Germany hosts several vibrant pumpkin festivals, especially during the autumn season. Here are some of the most notable ones:
These festivals celebrate the pumpkin harvest with creativity, culinary delights, and community activities, making them a popular autumn tradition in Germany.
Germany’s mild summers and rich soils make it a surprisingly great place to grow pumpkins—including some South African favourites like Gem squash (Rolet Skorsies) and Boerpampoen.
Federweißer Depending on the grape harvest, fresh Federweißer – also known as “new wine” – becomes available from late summer through to the end of October. Around this time, you might also come across Most or so-called First Wine, which marks the very beginning of the winemaking process. It’s sweeter than regular wine and unfiltered, unlike grape juice. Federweißer sits somewhere between Most and finished wine. It’s still fermenting, which means the yeast hasn’t yet
Potatoes Potatoes are a staple food in Germany.You’ll find them as a side with almost every traditional dish you order in a restaurant — from schnitzel to sausages and everything in between. The good news? Germans don’t believe in boring spuds. Potatoes are served in a glorious variety of ways: mashed, fried, boiled, baked, roasted (Bratkartoffelen) grated into dumplings, or tossed into hearty salads (Kartoffelsalat). Facts about potatoes Facts about potatoes Potatoes were introduced to
The summer months are gone, and for most of us, it is too cold to have a braai with our friends. A great alternative is to have a Raclette party at home.For those who are not familiar with Raclette, it is a dish originating from Switzerland. The history behind the dish is that peasants and cow herders in the Alpine regions carried cheese with them. In the evening the cheese would be placed next to
We’ve got a taste of home waiting for you.
From South African concerts to casual meetups across Germany—check out what’s happening near you.
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