The Marina di Chioggia Pumpkin.

How to grow a pumpkin

The best pumpkin variety to grow is hands down, the Marina Di Chioggia pumpkin (squash). I have grown many, many (many!), different varieties of pumpkin over the past few decades, from Butternuts and Jack Be Littles, to Kakai and Delicata Mini Sweets. But the Marina Di Chioggia pumpkin has truly won my heart, it is easy to grow, has 6 to 8 pumpkins per vine, I grew one last season weighed in at a hefty 9.24kgs (20.37 lbs!). They grow well in most soil and weather conditions, they don’t have too many issues with diseases and importantly; they are deliciously sweet and versatile. I have found the fruit are fast producing and you can use every stage of the pumpkins in different dishes, from the green baby pumpkins in stir fries to the mature orange flesh in rich, creamy soups, pastas and curries. Want to know more? Read on!

How to grow Marina Di Chioggia pumpkin in a small space

Although the pumpkin vine does grow 8 to 12 feet in length, you can use some cheap trellising to save space. I bought some inexpensive wire cattle grid (fencing) from my local Farm Supply shop and bent them into an arch shape, securing them on both ends to two star pickets. I encouraged the vines to grow up and over the arches, and grew sun sensitive greens, like asian greens, in the shaded area underneath the arches. If you’re on a budget, look out for some old branches that have fallen on the ground when you’re next out walking.  To create a frame for the pumpkin vine to climb, tie a few of the branches together with string, or cut up old shopping bag, whatever you can find around the house for free.  Have a pergola or back yard fence? Plant the pumpkin seeds at the base and encourage the vine to grow up and along the fence.

Recipe ideas using the Marina Di Chioggia pumpkin

I love using the baby pumpkins in curries when they are about 20cm in diameter and their seeds are still immature and soft (like the seeds in zucchini when you buy them at the grocery store). If you want to try out using the immature baby Mariana di Chioggia pumpkin in recipes, try one of my favourite curry recipes, my Pumpkin & coconut cream curry

If sweet, moist cakes are more your thing, you should try my Super moist pumpkin spice cake. And if you have ever had a dry chocolate cake (and we all have!) try adding pumpkin to your chocolate cake recipe (yes! pumpkin!). I always add pumpkin to my chocolate cakes, as it keeps the cake moist and gives the cake a wonderful texture. I experimented for ages to figure out a recipe that worked for me every time, so if you want a moist chocolate cake, try my The best super moist chocolate cake recipe. It’s a winner for adults and an fantastic base for children’s birthday cakes.