How to Grow West Indian Pumpkins

(Cómo Sembrar la Calabaza de Puerto Rico)

9 Comments

Learn how to grow West Indian Pumpkins in the MidwestWest Indian Pumpkin is a round or oblong squash that is popular in the Caribbean, Central and South America.  The color of the skin can vary and can include green, orange and tan hues.  The flesh of the West Indian Pumpkin is firm and bright orange with a sweet flavor similar to butternut squash.  The Taíno Indians cultivated the pumpkins and were known to add pieces of pumpkin to the stewed beans to thicken the sauce.  In addition to adding pumpkin pieces to our stewed beans, I prepare pumpkin custard (flan), pumpkin fritters (barriguitas de viejas) and pumpkin soup.

When I moved back to the United States in the 1980’s, I missed my favorite pumpkin dishes because the Caribbean pumpkins were not sold at our local Latin markets.  Today, however, you can purchase a whole pumpkin or pumpkin wedges at most Latin markets.  Fortunately, I decided to purchase some Puerto Rican pumpkin seeds to see if they would grow in the Midwest and after several attempts, I was able to harvest many Caribbean pumpkins throughout the years.

Learning How to Grow West Indian Pumpkins!

These are the Puerto Rican Pumpkin Seeds that I ordered at Amazon.

Always make sure the you have ample space when you plant the pumpkin seeds.  The vines of the pumpkin plant will start sprawling approximately 10 to 15 feet on top of your grass.

Planting and Growing the West Indian Pumpkin Seeds!

Cut a section of grass 10 X 10-inch square.

Dig approximately a ½-inch well.

Insert 2 Puerto Rican pumpkin seeds into the well.

Cover the Puerto Rican pumpkin seeds with soil.

Water the soil.

Enclosing the Area with a Wire Fence!

If you have rabbits running around your backyard, I would recommend to enclose the area with a wire fence.   The rabbits love to eat the tender young shoots that come up from the ground.  When the plant is 4 inches tall in approximately two weeks, the wire fence can then be removed.

Demonstrating the Various Stages of West Indian Pumpkin Plants!

How to Grow West Indian Pumpkins

The seeds were planted two weeks ago for this pumpkin plant.  The plants should be watered at least twice a week and at the base of the plant – never on the leaves as this will cause mold.  However, if it rains, there is no need to water the plant.  

Note:  Check for squash bugs on back of the leaves.   Place a small cardboard on the grass close to the plant.  The squash bugs will hide under the cardboard.  Lift the cardboard and vacuum the bugs with a shop vac.

How to Grow West Indian Pumpkins

This West Indian Pumpkin plant is four weeks old. 

How to Grow West Indian Pumpkins 

This West Indian Pumpkin plant is also four weeks old and started to flower – a bright yellow flower.

Harvesting a West Indian Pumpkin Summer of Year 2022!

Look how the vines of the pumpkin plant are spreading on top of the grass!  

How to Grow West Indian Pumpkins

I am cutting the stem from the pumpkin before lifting up the pumpkin!

How to Grow West Indian Pumpkins

Look how beautiful this Caribbean pumpkin grew in my backyard in Northwest Indiana!   It is round and the color of the skin is mainly green with an orange spot.

Click on the link if you are interested in Preparing and Packaging West Indian Pumpkin.

A actual picture taken of a West Indian Pumpkin wedge (Caribbean Pumpkin) in a local market in Puerto Rico. 

Click on the button below to watch my YouTube video on How to Grow West Indian Pumpkin (Caribbean Pumpkin)!

 

 

Category: Gardening, Recipes

9 Comments. Leave new

  • You just made me say I’m going to grow West Indian pumpkin in TN. I grew up with this type and do not find it here in the states like that. I will now grow them as your steps make it easier to do so. Thank you for this!

    Reply
  • I am working on a thing for class so I needed this THANK’S

    Reply
  • I am going to try these in Oklahoma this year. Are the spreading vines in your yard only one plant? How many melons do you usually get from a planting? Thanks for your step-by-step directions.

    Reply
    • Hi Chris, The spreading vines are from two plants and I usually harvest 3 to 6 pumpkins from one plant. It also depends on the weather in the Midwest. Some summers are cooler and the tropical pumpkins need hot humid temperatures. Thanks.

      Reply
  • RAFAEL A GARATE
    May 29, 2021 2:37 pm

    Hi there. I live in Chattanooga, TN. Do you know when is the best time of the year to plant the seeds in the area where I live? Thanks

    Reply
    • Hi Rafael, After the last frost of the year, you can start planting the pumpkin seeds. They will grow until October. I live up North and we just planted the seeds 10 days ago and the seeds already started germinating. Best of luck.

      Reply

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