Pumpkin vs Squash: What’s the Difference?

Pumpkin vs Squash Quiz: Test Yourself

Five quick questions on pumpkin vs squash. Pick an answer to get instant feedback.

Flip Cards: Quick Review

Hover over a card, or tap it on mobile, to see the key idea.

Cooks and gardeners often stop to ask pumpkin vs squash because the two words get used almost interchangeably, especially around autumn. The simple truth is that one sits inside the other. All pumpkins are squash, but not all squash are pumpkins. This guide explains how the two relate, how summer and winter squash differ, whether canned pumpkin is really pumpkin, and which one to choose in the kitchen.

What is a pumpkin?

A pumpkin is a type of winter squash, and the name usually points to a round, thick-skinned fruit with orange flesh. There is no strict botanical rule that separates a pumpkin from other squash, so the word is based mostly on appearance and use.

• Large orange pumpkins are carved for Halloween.
• Smaller “pie” pumpkins are often chosen for baking.
• Pumpkin puree is a staple of autumn pies, breads and soups.

The word itself comes from the Greek pepon, meaning “large melon,” which passed through French and English before reaching its modern form.

What is squash?

Squash is the umbrella word for a large group of fruits from the genus Cucurbita. It includes summer squash, winter squash and pumpkins. Botanically, these are fruits, though cooks treat them as vegetables.

• Zucchini and yellow squash are summer squash.
• Butternut, acorn, delicata and spaghetti squash are winter squash.
• Pumpkins are winter squash with a particular look.

Common names are applied loosely, so the same fruit may carry different labels in different places. For example, kabocha squash is also called Japanese pumpkin.

Is a pumpkin a squash?

Yes. Most botanists and gardening sources treat pumpkins as a type of squash. Many familiar orange pumpkins belong to the species Cucurbita pepo, the same species that includes zucchini, acorn squash and spaghetti squash. Other pumpkins belong to Cucurbita maxima or Cucurbita moschata.

Because the groups overlap, “pumpkin” is a label of convenience, not a clean scientific category. Naming also varies by country, so what one place calls a pumpkin another may call a squash.

What is the difference between summer and winter squash?

Summer squash is picked while young and tender, with a soft, edible skin. Winter squash is picked mature, with a hard rind and firm flesh, and it generally stores longer.

• Summer squash: zucchini, yellow squash, patty pan.
• Winter squash: butternut, acorn, delicata, kabocha and pumpkin.

Pumpkins belong in the winter group, which is why they are usually roasted or pureed and not eaten raw like a zucchini.

Is canned pumpkin really pumpkin?

Often it is made from the Dickinson pumpkin, a tan, oblong variety that is closely related to butternut squash and not the bright orange type used for carving. U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidance treats the label “pumpkin” as acceptable for golden-fleshed, sweet squash or mixtures of such squash with field pumpkin.

So the can may say pumpkin while the contents resemble butternut squash. Since there is no firm botanical line between the two, many writers describe it as pumpkin and squash at the same time.

Can you substitute squash for pumpkin?

Often, yes. Butternut and other sweet winter squashes are commonly used in place of pumpkin in pies, soups and breads. Results can differ in moisture, sweetness and texture, so adjust to taste. Carving pumpkins are often described as more watery and stringy than pie varieties, so they are not always the best choice for baking.

Pumpkin vs squash: which should you use?

Choose by the dish and the texture you want. Use pumpkin for carving and for classic autumn recipes. Use squash as the broader word, or pick a specific type, such as butternut for silky soups or zucchini for quick sautés.

Compare these pairs:

• We carved a pumpkin for the porch. (A decorative winter squash.)
• I roasted butternut squash for dinner. (A specific winter squash.)
• She grilled zucchini as a side. (A summer squash.)

Common mix-ups about pumpkin and squash

• ✗ Pumpkins and squash are completely different vegetables.
  ✓ A pumpkin is a type of squash.
• ✗ Zucchini is a winter squash.
  ✓ Zucchini is a summer squash.
• ✗ Canned pumpkin is always made from carving pumpkins.
  ✓ It is often made from Dickinson-type pumpkin, which is related to butternut squash.
• ✗ A pumpkin is a vegetable and a squash is a fruit.
  ✓ Botanically both are fruits, and cooks treat both as vegetables.
• ✗ Any pumpkin is equally good for pie.
  ✓ Pie varieties or sweet winter squashes are often preferred, since carving pumpkins can be stringy and watery.

How can you remember the difference?

Think of squash as the family and pumpkin as one member. Here are three memory tricks:

1. The family rule: All pumpkins are squash, but not all squash are pumpkins.
2. The look test: Round, thick-skinned and orange usually means pumpkin.
3. The skin test: Soft, edible skin means summer squash. Hard rind means winter squash.

FAQ: Pumpkin vs Squash

Is a pumpkin a squash?

Yes. Most botanists treat pumpkins as a type of squash, and there is no firm botanical rule separating them. Pumpkin is mostly a name based on appearance and use.

Is canned pumpkin really squash?

Often it is made from Dickinson pumpkin, a variety related to butternut squash. U.S. FDA guidance treats the label pumpkin as acceptable for golden-fleshed, sweet squash or mixtures with field pumpkin.

Can I use butternut squash instead of pumpkin?

Often yes. Butternut is commonly used in place of pumpkin in pies, soups and breads, though moisture and texture can differ.

What is the difference between summer squash and winter squash?

Summer squash such as zucchini is picked young with a soft, edible skin. Winter squash such as butternut, acorn and pumpkin is picked mature with a hard rind and generally stores longer.

Are pumpkins fruits or vegetables?

Botanically they are fruits, but cooks treat them as vegetables.

Conclusion

When you’re weighing pumpkin vs squash, remember that a pumpkin is simply a type of winter squash with a familiar look. Pick the variety that suits your recipe, and don’t worry too much about the label on the can. Share this with someone who is planning an autumn bake!