It’s rumoured that your canned pumpkin may actually contain something more akin to butternut squash. So what’s really in there?
Even though a label may read “100% pumpkin,” some argue this isn’t quite the case. It’s debated that there may be something other than just pumpkin in the can — and we’re not talking about ingredients to enhance its taste and texture. While you may be imagining that canned pumpkin is made from a Halloween-shaped pumpkin, it’s rumoured that your canned pumpkin may actually contain something more akin to butternut squash.
“All pumpkins, including the Dickinson pumpkin Libby’s uses, are a variety of squash belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family or gourd family,” said Eduardo Vivas, senior manager of brand marketing for Libby’s. A Dickinson pumpkin, often referred to as a Dickinson squash, has a beige exterior and lacks the deep ribbing of the round, orange pumpkins you may carve around Halloween. They are usually larger in size but are more of an oblong shape, with outer rind colouring similar to the butternut squash. They’re preferred when baking and cooking because of their creamy texture.) is made with the Dickinson pumpkin.