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Pumpkins

Experience Kürbiszeit: Germany's Pumpkin Season

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.

Cultivars or varieties you will not likely find in Germany

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.

  • Boerpampoen (Cucurbita maxima) . A traditional South African variety known for its dense flesh and excellent storage. Common cultivars include: Crown Prince, Flat White Boer, Ford, Jarrahdale, Long Island Cheese, Queensland Blue, Star 7001, and Star 7022.
  • Hubbard Pumpkin (also Cucurbita maxima). A larger, rugged squash with a rich flavour. Varieties include: Green Hubbard, Chicago Warted, Golden Hubbard, Essex Red, and Blue Hubbard.
  • Rolet Gem Squash.  Also known as Skorsies, this is a true South African heirloom prized for its compact size and rich flavour. While similar to the Rondini occasionally found in German stores, the real Gem squash is different
    • Gem squash has a hard, thin stem and a denser, more fibrous flesh.
    • Rondini is actually a type of zucchini characterised by a thicker, fleshier stem and a softer texture when cooked. 

Some South African speciality shops in Germany do sell authentic Gem squash when it’s in season—worth stocking up if you spot them!

Sonja Kohlöffel – Gem Squash

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

Saffa Shop

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.

Some facts about pumpkins

  • Pumpkins belong to the Squash (Cucurbita) family.
  • They were first domesticated in southern Mexico and Central America over 7,000 years ago.
  • Pumpkins are now grown on every continent except Antarctica.
  • There are five major cultivated species: C. pepo, C. maxima, C. moschata, C. argyrosperma, and C. ficifolia.
  • There are hundreds of pumpkin varieties, from giant show pumpkins to tiny heirlooms.
  • The largest pumpkin on record weighed over 1,200 kg!
  • Pumpkins are about 90% water—don’t be fooled by their hefty feel!

Popular varieties in Germany

 German NameEnglish NameHow to useInfo
MuskatkürbisCrookneck pumpkinHave 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-KürbisButternutGood for frying, stewing, steaming and stuffing. Ideal for soups, purees, cakes, jams or compotes. Goes well with garlic and chilliIt can be stored for a long time.
HokkaidoHokkaidoPopular 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-KürbisSpaghetti SquashGood 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-KürbisCustard or Patisson squashLook for young vegetables. It is suitable for filling. Can be grilled or fried. The flower is edible. The peel is edibleDo not store for long.
EichelkürbisAcorn SquashTastes 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 ÖlkürbisCucurbita pepo var. styriacaIt 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 BischofsmützeTurban squashFloury consistency. Suitable for soups and purees. It is suitable for filling. Can be used in Moussaka.Stores very well
GorgonzolakürbisGorgonzola pumpkinRaw side dish with fish or as a snack.Stores very well

Pumpkin seed oil

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.

Recipes

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

Festivals

Germany hosts several vibrant pumpkin festivals, especially during the autumn season. Here are some of the most notable ones:

  • Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival (Kürbisausstellung Ludwigsburg): The largest pumpkin festival in the world, held at the Ludwigsburg Palace near Stuttgart. It features over 450,000 pumpkins, creative pumpkin sculptures, pumpkin-themed food, and various events, including a pumpkin regatta on the palace lake.
  • Retzer Land Pumpkin Festival (Kürbisfest im Retzer Land): Located in the Franconian town of Retz, this festival is known for its extensive pumpkin exhibition, pumpkin-themed market, and culinary delights such as pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin seed oil.
  • Hoflößnitz Pumpkin Festival (Radebeul): Celebrated in Radebeul, Saxony, within the vineyards of Hoflößnitz. The festival features pumpkin carving, pumpkin contests, and a selection of regional foods and wines.
  • Teltow Pumpkin Festival: Located in Teltow near Berlin, this festival includes pumpkin exhibitions, competitions, and a market offering a wide range of pumpkin products, from food items to decorative pieces.
  • Berlin Pumpkin Festival (Berlin-Kürbisfest): Held in the heart of Berlin, this festival offers pumpkin carving workshops, a bustling pumpkin market, and a variety of delicious pumpkin-based dishes.

These festivals celebrate the pumpkin harvest with creativity, culinary delights, and community activities, making them a popular autumn tradition in Germany.

Growing Pumpkins 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

🕰️ When to Plant

  • Sow indoors: Mid-April to early May. Start seeds in pots or trays on a sunny windowsill or greenhouse.
  • Plant outdoors: After mid-May, once all danger of frost has passed (the Eisheiligen or “Ice Saints” week is a good traditional marker).
  • Harvest time: Late August through October, depending on the variety and weather.

🌞 What They Need

  • Sun (or as close as you can get): While pumpkins ideally need 6–8 hours of direct sunlight, in Germany, you’ll have to make do with the best available. Choose the sunniest, most sheltered spot in your garden or on your balcony—south-facing is ideal.
  • Space: Pumpkins are sprawlers! They need lots of space to stretch their vines. If planting in a pot, choose a large container and let the vines trail or climb.
  • Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with compost or organic fertiliser mixed in. Pumpkins are heavy feeders!
  • Water: Regular, deep watering—especially when fruit starts forming. Water at the base to avoid fungal diseases.

🎯 Growing Gem Squash

  • Germination: Fast and eager with warmth. Soak seeds overnight before planting to speed things up.
  • Support: These vines can be trained to climb a trellis or supported to save space.
  • Harvest: Pick when fruits are dark green, firm, and the stem begins to harden. Too late, and they’ll get woody.

References

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