A Quick Glance…
Pumpkins, when harvested and stored correctly, can last between 8 to 12 weeks. However, the exact longevity of a pumpkin can vary depending on several factors including the variety of the pumpkin, its maturity at the time of harvest, and the conditions in which it’s stored. Ideal storage conditions involve a cool, dry, and well-ventilated space with temperatures between 50 and 55°F (10-13°C). Once carved or cooked, pumpkins will deteriorate much more rapidly, typically lasting up to a week if refrigerated.
How long will a pumpkin last after it is picked?
If you just bought a pumpkin and want to have it for yourself, you are in luck. Pumpkins can last anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks. But this means the pumpkin is untouched, taken care of, and kept in 50-50 degree Fahrenheit rooms
That is how you will want to store your pumpkins if you want to make sure its shelf life is as long as possible. Unfortunately, if you are someone who bought a pumpkin and carved into it, your pumpkin only has a shelf life of 5 to 10 days. So after you make your beautiful carvings, enjoy them while you can.
That is why it is smart to wait until right before Halloween to put out your carved pumpkins. The reason carved pumpkins rot quicker than uncarved ones is due to the amount of air and loss of moisture it will be exposed to. Most carved pumpkins are left outside so not only is it subjected to random temperatures and weather, but it is left massively exposed as well.
How to tell if pumpkins are bad, rotten, or spoiled?
When a pumpkin goes bad, it will first begin to get soft at the bottom and then start leaking liquid. This will then be followed very quickly by mold in multiple colors. It is at this point when you have to decide whether you want to keep a bad pumpkin or throw it in the garbage.
Now you may be asking about the seeds in the pumpkins. If you have gone to the store and bought pumpkin seeds in a container, it is best to go by the “best if used by” date as your reference when to eat the seeds. They will not go bad by that date but a week or so afterwards they will.
Pumpkin shelf life
Now maybe you have canned pumpkin and want to make a nice meal out of it. The best thing you could do with that can is place it in the freezer. When placed in the freezer, canned pumpkin can last up to 3 months.
The 3 months is really for the best quality, it will probably not go bad for a little while past then too. But if you want to make the best meal possible, it is recommended you place that canned pumpkin in the freezer and use it within 3 months. If you choose to just refrigerate the canned pumpkin, it may only last you 5 to 7 days.
So there is a pretty big discrepancy on expiration time when it comes to storing your canned pumpkin in the fridge or freezer. Remember to look for signs in case your canned pumpkin has gone bad. The best way to do that is to smell it. If there is a strange odor, throw it away and better luck next time.
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpkin
- https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2011/10/05/141094067/how-long-does-a-pumpkin-last
- https://metro.co.uk/2018/10/22/how-long-do-pumpkins-last-for-when-you-should-buy-and-carve-your-halloween-pumpkin-8063308/
