Pumpkin

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) is native to North America but is widely used as a vegetable in many parts of the world, including South Asia. The skin may be the familiar orange, or green or yellow-green, and the flesh may be orange, almost red, or a paler yellow-orange. Buy slices or wedges of pumpkin in Asian grocery stores or produce markets, or use small pie pumpkins or Japanese kabocha squash when pumpkin is called for. Deeper-colored flesh seems to have more flavor than pale flesh. Cut pumpkin will keep fairly well for up to a week, wrapped in plastic, in the refrigerator. Remove the seeds and pith and peel before using.