Fairy Tale Pumpkin Pie
identification
description
Ribbed French pumpkin, dark mahogany color, perfect for desserts
Fairy Tale Pie Pumpkin ( Cucurbita moschata ), offered by OSC Seeds
An old variety from the south of France , “Fairy Tale” produces magnificent, flat , heavily ribbed fruits resembling large blocks of cheese. Weighing an average of 9 kg , they ripen to a superb, highly decorative mahogany brown . Their fine , sweet , dark orange flesh is ideal for tarts , soups , cakes , gnocchi , ravioli , and other autumn recipes. Introduced to North America before 1900 , this variety has been cultivated in France for much longer.
Propagation: Indoor sowing or direct sowing in late spring
Height/Habit: Creeping vines
Package size: Approximately 20 seeds
Harvest time: 100–110 days
Frost tolerance: Killed by frost
Companion plants: Corn, beans, nasturtiums
Incompatible plants: Other closely related cucurbits (competition)
Planting and maintenance:
Plant in full sun in rich, deep, well-drained soil. Sow directly when the soil is warm or start indoors 2–3 weeks before transplanting. Give vigorous vines plenty of room. Water deeply but not soggy. Harvest when the skin hardens and takes on its characteristic mahogany color . Allow to dry for a few days before storing to improve preservation.
