Pumpkins

Experience Kürbiszeit: Germany's Pumpkin Season

From July to January, Germany celebrates Kürbiszeit, its vibrant pumpkin season. Discover the rich flavors, colorful festivals, and seasonal delights that make this time of year truly special.

Some facts about pumpkins

Pumpkins belong to the Squash (Cucurbita) family
They are native to North America and originated from northeastern Mexico and the southern United States
Grown on all continents except Antarctica
There are 5 major species of Cucurbita – Ficifolia, Maxima, Mixta, Moschata and Pepo
There are over 100 varieties of pumpkin

The variety of pumpkins found in Germany is steadily growing. Up to a few years back, you could not find any Butternuts, and now they are available in most shops.

Cultivars or varieties you will not find in Germany:

Boerpampoen – Cucurbita maxima. Varieties: Crown Prince, Flat white Boer, Ford, Jarrahdale, Long Island Cheese, Queensland Blue, Star 7001 and 7022.
Hubbard pumpkin also Cucurbita maxima – Varieties: Green Hubbard, Chicago Warted, Golden Hubbard, Essex Red and Blue Hubbard
Rolet Gem squash, or Skorsies, is a true South African heirloom squash. They also know as Rondini or African Smaragd. Often the Rondini you find in the shops here but it is not a real Gem squash but rather a type of Zucchini with softer skin. A gem squash has a hard thin stem and the Rondini a thicker fleshier stem.
Some of our South African shops do sell them when in season.

Pumpkins in Germany

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	Can be stored for a long time.
Hokkaido	Hokkaido	Popular in soups, puree, gratin or goulash. Is also suitable for compote or pie. It does not have to be peeled, 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. 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. 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 is not the same
Steirischer Ölkürbis	Cucurbita pepo var. styriaca	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. 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

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.
Blühendes Barock Pumpkin Festival: Held in the gardens of Blühendes Barock in Ludwigsburg, this festival showcases artistic pumpkin displays and offers a variety of pumpkin-based foods and family-friendly activities.
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.