Blue Delight pumpkins are a newer variety of pumpkin that have become quite popular in recent years for their unique blue color. Unlike traditional orange pumpkins, Blue Delight pumpkins have a blue-gray skin and flesh when unripe, turning more blue as they ripen. This unusual color has made them popular for fall decorating and attracted curiosity about whether they can be eaten like regular orange pumpkins. So are Blue Delight pumpkins edible?
The short answer is yes, Blue Delight pumpkins are edible. While the flavor and texture may differ somewhat from traditional orange pumpkins, Blue Delight pumpkins can be cooked and eaten in many of the same ways. Their flesh tends to be drier with a more mild, nutty taste compared to some orange varieties. However, they can still be used to make various dishes like pumpkin pie, soups, baked goods, and more.
Background on Blue Delight Pumpkins
Blue Delight pumpkins are a Cinderella-type pumpkin, meaning they are smaller, squash-shaped pumpkins in contrast to the large, round Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins. Blue Delight pumpkins typically weigh 5-8 pounds with a rounded, ribbed shape.
They were developed through cross-breeding work by researchers in New Mexico, first appearing commercially around 2006. Blue Delight stems from crossing heirloom French pumpkins like Rouge Vif D’Etampes and Musquee de Provence with an American pumpkin called Jarrahdale.
The goal was to create a blue-skinned pumpkin while retaining the round squash shape. Blue Delight has since become popular for its unique look while also being edible. It provides gardeners and cooks with a different seasonal ingredient to work with compared to standard orange pumpkins.
Are They Toxic?
Some people may wonder if Blue Delight pumpkins are toxic or unsafe to eat given their distinct color. However, they are not toxic. All pumpkins, whether orange or blue-skinned, belong to the Cucurbita genus which contains edible squash varieties.
Blue Delight pumpkins produce the blue-gray coloring through selective breeding. It comes from the natural anthocyanin pigments found in some pumpkins and squash. This is the same antioxidant pigment that makes blueberries blue or purple cabbage purple. So while they look quite different, Blue Delight flesh is just as edible as other pumpkins or squash.
Nutrition Content
Since Blue Delight pumpkins are edible and closely related to butternut squash, their nutrition profile is also similar. One cup of cooked Blue Delight pumpkin contains:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 49 |
| Carbohydrates | 12g |
| Protein | 1.5g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugars | 2g |
| Fat | 0.5g |
| Vitamin A | 245% DV |
| Vitamin C | 24% DV |
| Potassium | 14% DV |
Like other orange and yellow-fleshed pumpkins, Blue Delight provides significant vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and fiber. The deep color signals rich antioxidant levels. Blue Delight’s nutrition matches cooked butternut squash in most respects. Both are considered very nutrient dense vegetables.
Flavor and Texture
When cooked, Blue Delight pumpkin takes on a light pumpkin or butternut squash flavor. The taste is milder and not as sweet compared to some other pumpkins. The texture is dense and dry rather than being moist or watery when cooked.
Some describe Blue Delight as having a drier, more fibrous flesh and even a chestnut-like flavor due to its nuttiness. The flesh is less stringy than spaghetti squash though. This makes it well suited for applications like soups, purees and baking where a drier texture works well.
Pumpkin Uses
Blue Delight pumpkin can be used in all the same ways as traditional carving pumpkins. A few options for cooking Blue Delight pumpkin include:
- Baking it into pies, muffins, breads, scones, pancakes, etc.
- Pureeing it into soups, spreading it on toast, using it in yogurt bowls
- Roasting wedges with olive oil as a side dish
- Cutting into chunks to add to stews, chili, curry and pasta sauce
- Blending into smoothies
When cooking with Blue Delight, it may take slightly longer to become tender compared to other pumpkin varieties. Many recommend roasting, steaming or pressure cooking chunks first to soften them up before adding to recipes.
Pre-cooking makes it easier to scoop flesh out of the skin as well. The drier flesh means adding extra moisture like milk, broth or cream to recipes can help achieve the typical texture expected in pumpkin dishes.
Baking
For baking, Blue Delight can be swapped into any recipe that calls for canned or fresh pumpkin puree, like pumpkin bread or pumpkin pie. You may need to adjust moisture and spices based on the milder flavor.
Some extra egg or reduce other liquids slightly since Blue Delight tends to be drier. Pumpkin pie spice works well to boost the flavor. Just keep in mind that the interior of baked goods may retain a bluish hue and not become bright orange.
Savory Dishes
In soups, stews, curries and stir fries, pre-roasted Blue Delight pumpkin adds nice texture and color contrast. Salting the chunks before roasting helps draw moisture out for a firmer texture.
Turmeric, curry powder, garam masala and cumin are good spice pairs that complement the nutty flavor in savory dishes. Like butternut squash, Blue Delight works well in any recipe that calls for fall squash as the flavors are similar.
Storing Fresh Pumpkins
Fresh Blue Delight pumpkins left whole and uncut can be stored for 2 to 3 months in a cool, dry place. Once cut open, the pieces should be cooked within a few days and refrigerated when storing any leftovers.
The cooked pumpkin puree can be frozen for 4-6 months for later use. For longer storage, cooked Blue Delight pumpkin can also be canned using a pressure canner. This allows enjoying its unique flavor even when fresh pumpkins are out of season.
Growing Blue Delight Pumpkins
Home gardeners can also try growing Blue Delight pumpkins themselves. The seeds are readily available from many seed companies. Blue Delight is easy to grow in most regions and produces moderately sized fruits on compact vines.
Here are some tips for successfully raising Blue Delight pumpkins:
- Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost
- Transplant outdoors when soil is warm, at least 65 F
- Space plants 2-4 feet apart in full sun
- Use row covers if growing season is short
- Water 1-2 inches per week
- Harvest when rinds resist denting from your fingernail
Blue Delight vines spread 3-5 feet and produce 3-5 fruits per plant on average. The plants need 105-110 days to reach maturity, producing blue-gray pumpkins ideally suited for fall decor and eating.
Where to Buy
For those who don’t want to grow their own, fresh Blue Delight pumpkins can be purchased at many grocery stores, farmer’s markets, and garden centers when in season from late September through October.
They are more expensive than carving pumpkins, often $5-10 per fruit, due to their novelty value. But trying this uniquely colored heirloom pumpkin variety can add extra festive flair to the autumn months.
Recipes to Try
Here are some delicious recipe ideas that let you take advantage of Blue Delight’s edible qualities:
Blue Delight Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 small Blue Delight pumpkin, seeded and cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried sage
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Roast pumpkin cubes tossed in olive oil at 400F for 25 minutes.
- In a pot, saute onion and garlic until soft.
- Add roasted pumpkin, vegetable broth, sage and seasoning.
- Simmer 20 minutes then puree with an immersion blender.
- Top with pumpkin seeds, cream and fresh sage.
Spicy Blue Delight Pumpkin Curry
Ingredients:
- 1 lb Blue Delight pumpkin, peeled and cubed
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp curry powder
- 1 Tbsp ginger, grated
- 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14 oz) can lite coconut milk
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt to taste
- Cooked rice for serving
Directions:
- Saute pumpkin, onion and garlic 5 minutes.
- Add curry powder and ginger, cook 1 minute.
- Stir in chickpeas, coconut milk and lime juice.
- Simmer 10-15 minutes until pumpkin is tender.
- Season with salt.
- Serve over rice.
Blue Delight Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour two 8×4-inch loaf pans.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugars until fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in pumpkin.
- Add dry ingredients to wet and mix just until combined.
- Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake 55-60 minutes.
Conclusion
In summary, Blue Delight pumpkins are completely edible despite their unusual blue-gray coloring. Their flavor is milder but can be an interesting seasonal alternative in soups, curries, baked goods and other pumpkin recipes. With their beautiful blue skin and dense orange flesh, Blue Delight offers both decorator appeal and culinary versatility for creative cooks. As a rare heirloom Cinderella variety, they are definitely worth trying if you come across them during the harvest season.
