Jarrahdale pumpkins aren’t what first springs to mind when you picture a pumpkin. Instead of the round orange-skinned gourd you expect, Jarrahdale pumpkins are a slate blue color with deep grooves. The flesh is bright orange and is prized for tasting as good as it looks. With a slightly flattened shape, this medium to large pumpkin is a beautiful and tasty addition to your table.

These pumpkins are beautiful decorations and are delicious in a variety of recipes. Let’s find out more about this unique and elegant pumpkin.

Where Do They Come From

Jarrahdale pumpkins are an heirloom variety of pumpkin, named after a town in Western Australia. These pumpkins are popular in their native Australia, as well as in New Zealand because of their sweet mellow flavor, and their versatility as an ingredient. Their flavor as well as their stunning color has made them popular worldwide.

Jarrahdale pumpkins are a beautiful example of hybridization in gardening. The Jarrahdale is a combination of the Cinderella pumpkin and the Blue Hubbard squash. It has attributes of both, with the distinctive flattened shape of the Cinderella pumpkin, and the sweetness and color of the Blue Hubbard squash.

Pumpkins are a common food crop in Australia, due to the ease with which they grow. They are easy to maintain, and can be harvested all at once, and have a long shelf-life when stored correctly.

How To Use Jarrahdale Pumpkins

The orange flesh of the Jarrahdale is a stunning contrast to its bluish skin. The flesh is firm, and not stringy, which makes it great for use in a variety of recipes. While it is best used to enhance savory dishes, it also makes a delicious pie pumpkin.

They can be roasted, stewed, and made into delicious soups. If you are interested in trying Jarrahdale pumpkins for yourself, give one of these recipes a try:

If you want to try these recipes, but can’t find a Jarrahdale, you can substitute other pumpkins or squashes, such as Hubbard squash, butternut squash, Peanut pumpkin, or Lakota. These are all versatile varieties of pumpkin that do well in sweet or savory dishes.

While you’re cooking up your pumpkin, don’t forget to save the seeds. You can put them aside to plant or roast them. Like all pumpkin varieties, the seeds of the Jarrahdale make a delicious snack.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Jarrahdale pumpkins aren’t just good to eat. Their unusual coloration also makes them great to decorate with. They look lovely as part of a table centerpiece or used outside as part of a display like a decorative pumpkin stack. Their bluish-green skin stands out when mixed with orange or white varieties of pumpkin, making an elegant and eye-catching display.

Where To Get Jarrahdale Pumpkins

Jarrahdale pumpkins grow under the same conditions as more standard varieties of pumpkin that are available in the U.S. This means that despite their exotic origins in Australia, they are available in the United States. Pumpkins grow their best in zones 3,4,5,6,7,8,9, making them fairly easy to find.

If you visit your local orchard or pumpkin patch, chances are you will be able to find Jarrahdale pumpkins for sale. If you are feeling adventurous, you might consider growing Jarrahdale pumpkins for yourself. The seeds are readily available online, and growing your own pumpkins is fun and satisfying.

How To Grow Jarrahdale Pumpkins

If you’ve decided to start growing your own Jarrahdales you may need some pointers on how to start. Pumpkins may seem labor-intensive at first glance, but they are actually a great place to start for those who are interested in growing their own fruits and vegetables.

Jarrahdales are annuals, which means you will have to replant them every year.

Plant your seeds in an area that gets full sun.

They should be planted after all threats of frost have passed, and the ground is warm.

Pumpkins of any variety need to be planted in soil that drains well.

Using row covers will help protect your pumpkin plants from insects, and any unexpected late frosts.

Pumpkins have a big appetite for nutrients, so be sure to provide them with compost and water.

Mulching your rows will keep the ground warm and help the seeds germinate.

Encourage bees to come into your garden. When your pumpkin vines begin to flower, you will need bees to pollinate the blooms to get your pumpkins growing.

Collect seeds from your pumpkins so you’re ready for the next growing season. since Jarrahdales are an annual.

Be vigilant for pests and mildew so you can stop them before an infestation starts.

Place cardboard beneath the pumpkins and gently turn them often as they grow.

This will help them achieve a more even shape, and prevent mold and rot due to one area being in constant contact with the ground.

Jarrahdale Pumpkin Fun Facts

Jarrahdales are classified as medium to large pumpkins, with their average size being somewhere between 6 and 18 pounds. In some circumstances, they can get gigantic, reaching 120 lbs. The vines can grow to be as much as 30 feet long and 18 inches tall.

Add more pumpkin to your life! Pumpkins are filled with vitamins A and C and are a good source of fiber.

Jarrahdale pumpkins, and all pumpkins, are related to cucumbers. This family also includes watermelons, squash, and inedible gourds. Not only is this botanical group classified as fruits, they are also berries!

If you are planning on making a visit to the pumpkin patch this year, consider thinking outside of the box, and grab a few Jarrahdales along with your regular orange pumpkins. Try a new recipe, or make a new fall centerpiece. However you choose to use them, you will be glad you gave these eye-catching blue pumpkins a chance.

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