Yes, Japanese pumpkin, also known as kabocha squash, is botanically a fruit.
Understanding the Botanical Classification
Botanically speaking, a pumpkin is a fruit because it develops from the flower of a plant and contains seeds. This applies to all types of pumpkins, including the Japanese variety. While often used in savory dishes like soups and stews, its classification as a fruit remains unchanged. Several sources confirm this:
- WebMD: States that kabocha squash is "a fruit that grows in bushes but is eaten as a vegetable." https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-of-kabocha-squash
- Michelin Guide: Refers to kabocha squash as "the Japanese pumpkin." https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/features/winter-fruit-pumpkins-squash-guide
- Purdue University: Clearly states, "Botanically pumpkins are fruit, but horticulturally they are a vegetable." https://ag.purdue.edu/news/2023/10/going-pumpkin-picking-explore-the-many-faces-of-falls-iconic-fruit.html
Culinary vs. Botanical Classification
The confusion often arises from the culinary perspective. Many fruits are used in savory dishes, and many vegetables are used in sweet dishes. The culinary use of a plant doesn't change its botanical classification. Japanese pumpkin, while often treated like a vegetable in cooking, remains a fruit based on its botanical origin.
- Wikipedia: Highlights that kabocha squash is marketed as "Japanese pumpkin" in Australian fruit and vegetable markets. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabocha
Characteristics of Japanese Pumpkin
The Japanese pumpkin (kabocha squash) exhibits characteristics common to other pumpkins and squash:
- A hard rind that can be dark green, gray, or reddish-orange.
- Yellow-to-orange flesh.
- Weighs from 1.5 to 5.3 pounds.
- Grows in bushes (vines).
