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Cinderella pumpkins are medium to large in size, averaging 30 to 46 centimeters tall, 30 to 38 centimeters wide, and 7 to 11 kilograms in weight. This variety has a round shape with a flattened blossom and stem end. Their deeply ribbed rind matures from yellow to a vibrant red-orange, adorned with small, circular bubbles and splotches of green striping on its surface. Cinderella pumpkins have a smooth, glossy outer texture with a rough, light brown stem. These dense pumpkins contain a central cavity surrounded by a thick outer layer of light orange flesh. The flesh has a firm texture when raw but becomes soft and tender when cooked. It's connected to a stringy pulp filled with flat, cream-colored seeds. When cooked, Cinderella pumpkins are creamy and moist with a mild and slightly sweet flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Cinderella pumpkins are available from fall to winter.
Current Facts
Cinderella pumpkins are botanically classified as Cucurbita maxima and belong to the Cucurbitaceae family along with gourds and squash. They are a French heirloom variety as well as a winter squash that grows on sprawling vines reaching over three meters in length. This variety is commonly known as Rouge Vif d’Etampes, which translates to vivid red in English, a nod to the pumpkins’ brightly-colored rind. They are also referred to as cheese pumpkins due to their flat, cheese wheel-like shape. Because of their whimsical name, this variety is often confused with Fairytale pumpkins. These have a similar shape to Cinderella pumpkins but possess an orange-brown hue rather than a bright orange one. Today, Cinderella pumpkins are predominately ornamental but are also used by home gardeners and chefs for soups and pies.
Nutritional Value
Cinderella pumpkins are rich in vitamin A, supporting eye health, enhancing immune function, and promoting healthy skin through their high beta-carotene content. Their abundance of vitamin C provides strong antioxidant protection, boosts the immune system, aids in collagen production for skin and tissue repair, and improves iron absorption, contributing to overall vitality. The vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, found in these pumpkins plays a crucial role in brain function, helping in neurotransmitter production to regulate mood and improve cognitive abilities, while also supporting energy metabolism and red blood cell formation. The high potassium content in Cinderella pumpkins helps maintain heart health by regulating blood pressure, supporting nerve and muscle function, and preventing muscle cramps.
Applications
Cinderella pumpkins are best suited for cooked applications such as roasting, baking, and steaming. Their sweet flavor and creamy texture make them ideal for baked goods and desserts like pies, breads, muffins, cookies, and cakes. They can also be frozen and used to make pumpkin ice cream, smoothies, or gelato. Cinderella pumpkins are frequently puréed for pumpkin butter, soups, stews, or casseroles. They may be hollowed out and used as a decorative bowl for stuffing with candy or other Halloween decorations. Cinderella pumpkins pair well with meats such as sausage, poultry, bacon, or turkey, carrots, celery, parsnips, rutabagas, cabbage, green and red bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, corn, mushrooms, garlic, onions, chives, cream cheese, cinnamon, honey, rice, quinoa, parsley, Italian seasoning, rosemary, thyme, and cheese such as cheddar, Emmenthal, or Gruyere. Cinderella pumpkins will keep for 3 to 5 months when stored in a cool, dry place. When cooked, they can last up to 3 days in the fridge or 3 to 6 months in the freezer in their puréed form.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
This variety is believed to have served as the original inspiration for the horse-drawn carriage featured in Disney's classic 1950 animated film Cinderella. The animators who worked on this film were said to have brought these pumpkins into the studio to study their rich color palettes and intricate textures. These artists created multiple variations of the pumpkin before the final version of the carriage was chosen. After the release of the film, the Rouge Vif d’Etampe pumpkin earned a new name, the Cinderella pumpkin, which is what it's most commonly referred to as in the United States today. This variety remains closely associated with the film and serves as an emblem of Disney's retelling of the Cinderella story.
Geography/History
Cinderella pumpkins are native to France. Their French name was derived from their site of origin, the small medieval town of Etampes located about 48 kilometers southwest of Paris. They grow in climates with warm temperatures, full sun exposure, and well-drained soils. Cinderella pumpkins are a cultivated variety that’s been bred for their distinct flattened shape and vibrant color, both commercially and in home gardens. Cinderella pumpkins were the most popular variety found in Parisian street markets during the 1880s. In 1883, Washington Atlee Burpee of Burpee Seeds purchased and introduced Cinderella pumpkins to the United States where it is now a niche variety that's popular during the autumn and early winter seasons. Today, Cinderella pumpkins can be found at specialty stores and farmers markets in Europe, the United States, Asia, and Australia.
Supermarket "SMall"
Алматы микрорайон Казахфильм 13, Алматы 050057
Cinderella pumpkins of South Kazakhstan…Cinderella pumpkins are medium to large winter squashes, notable for their vibrant red-orange color with green stripes and deeply ribbed rind. They weigh between 7 to 11 kilograms and have light orange flesh, which becomes soft and tender when cooked. Known for their creamy texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor, these pumpkins are a stunning addition to autumn dishes and visual presentations alike.
Supermarket "Magnum"
ул. Радостовца 292, Алматы 050060, Казакстан
Cinderella pumpkins of Kazakhstan…Cinderella Pumpkins of Kazakhstan are remarkable not just for their colorful appearance but also their culinary versatility. Their sweet flavor and creamy texture make them perfect for desserts, soups, and casseroles, as well as pumpkin butter. They pair wonderfully with meats, vegetables, and spices. Stored correctly, they can remain fresh for months and adapt well to freezing, making them a durable and flavorful choice for cooking.
Cinderella pumpkins, botanically classified as Cucurbita maxima, are a French heirloom variety and winter squash notable for their flat, cheese wheel-like shape. Known in French as Rouge Vif d’Etampes, meaning vivid red, they boast a vibrant orange rind. Though often confused with Fairytale pumpkins, which are orange-brown, these pumpkins are mainly ornamental but also popular in soups and pies among gardeners and chefs alike for their versatility.
Supermarket Magnum
ул. Радостовца 292, Алматы 050060
Cinderella pumpkin of Kazakhstan…Cinderella pumpkins are originally from France, specifically the medieval town of Etampes, located southwest of Paris. In 1883, the variety was introduced to the United States by Washington Atlee Burpee of Burpee Seeds. Known for their flattened shape and bright color, they remain a niche favorite in autumn and winter seasons and are sold in specialty stores and farmers markets across Europe, the U.S., Asia, and Australia.
Magnum supermarket
Almagul 18 a, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Cinderella pumpkins of Kazakhstan..Cinderella pumpkins, or Rouge Vif d’Etampes, served as the inspiration for Disney's 1950 animated film "Cinderella." Animators brought these pumpkins into the studio to study their vivid colors and unique textures while designing the magical carriage. After the film's release, the pumpkin became popularly known as the Cinderella pumpkin, symbolizing Disney's reimagining of the classic fairy tale.
JR Organics
Escondido, CA
Cinderella pumpkins are quite impressive, measuring 30 to 46 centimeters tall and weighing between 7 to 11 kilograms. Their deeply ribbed rind shifts from yellow to vibrant red-orange as they mature, with green striping adding visual interest. When cooked, these pumpkins offer a creamy and moist texture with a mild and slightly sweet flavor, making them a delightful addition to both savory and sweet dishes.
Open air market at Almaty-Taldykorgan highway
Zhana Arna village, Almaty region, Kazakhstan
Cinderella pumpkins grown in Kazakhstan…Cinderella pumpkins are highly versatile and can be roasted, baked, or steamed, making them perfect for desserts like pies, bread, and cookies. Puréed, they work well in soups, stews, or casseroles and can even be turned into pumpkin butter or ice cream. They pair wonderfully with ingredients like cinnamon, honey, sausage, or Gruyere cheese. Stored properly, whole pumpkins last 3 to 5 months, while puréed ones can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Small grocery store
Розыбакиева, 75, 050046/A15P3T7, Алматы, Бостандыкский район, 1 этаж
Pumpkins of the harvest 2021, Kazakhstan…Cinderella pumpkins are botanically known as Cucurbita maxima and are part of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes gourds and squash. This French heirloom variety is often called Rouge Vif d’Etampes, meaning vivid red, referencing its bright-colored rind. Although predominantly ornamental, these pumpkins are also valued for their use in soups and pies due to their dense, flavorful flesh, highlighting their culinary versatility.
Magnum Express
Almagul 18 A, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Cinderella pumpkins are native to France, specifically the small medieval town of Etampes, not Kazakhstan. They were the most popular variety in Parisian street markets during the 1880s. Introduced to the United States in 1883 by Washington Atlee Burpee, these pumpkins are now considered a niche variety and are commonly found in specialty stores and farmers markets across Europe, the U.S., Asia, and Australia during autumn and early winter.
Bilya market
Абая, 23/2, 040700, Пос. Отеген Батыра, Илийский район, Алматинская область
Big Cinderella pumpkins of South Kazakhstan..The Cinderella pumpkin, or Rouge Vif d'Etampes, is thought to have inspired the iconic horse-drawn carriage in Disney's 1950 animated classic. Disney animators studied these pumpkins for their vivid colors and textures before finalizing the carriage's design. Afterward, this pumpkin gained its new name and is now closely linked to the story and serves as a symbolic connection to Disney's retelling of Cinderella.