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Pumpkin Pound Sweet

PUMPKIN POUND SWEET is also known as Pound Sweet, Pound Sweeting, Pumpkin Sweeting, Lyman's Large Yellow (likely a distinct variety), Rhode Island Sweet, Round Sweet, Sweet Pumpkin, Vermont Pumpkin Sweet, Vermont Sweet and Yankee Apple. It originated in the orchard of S. Lyman, Manchester, Connecticut, and was recorded in 1834. Large in size, and rectangular to truncate-conic in shape, with distinct ribs, the yellow skin is marbled with a greenish-yellow, and usually has a brown flush. There is scarfskin over much of the surface. The yellow flesh is firm and crisp with a sweet flavor. Suitable for baking, frying, preserving or dessert. At one time it, like Orange Sweet and Northern Sweet, was used for livestock food. Orchards of Pumpkin Sweet were planted around Conneaut, Ohio, in Civil War time, for apple butter making. The butter was shipped in kegs and barrels and sold for 10 to 25 cents a gallon. Sometimes, this variety was also stewed with quince, and it was especially popular for baking. The vigorous upright growing tree is spreading and drooping with greenish-yellow bark and waved leaves. It is highly productive, but bears biennially, and the fruit ripens unevenly and tends to watercore. It ripens in September.

Ripening Period

  • Early Fall - September