Unlike most other fruits (yes, pumpkins are not a vegetable), pumpkins have various purposes: you can use them for cooking and baking, but you can also carve them. Certain pumpkin types are also used as decoration (without carving them, simply because they look pretty or unusual).
Are you looking for a pumpkin? If yes, do grocery stores sell pumpkins?
Most grocery stores only sell pumpkins in October before Halloween. It is unlikely to find pumpkins for sale at a grocery store during other times of the year.
In the following, I will explain which grocery stores sell pumpkins and whether this is limited to only a certain time of the year.
What Grocery Stores Sell Pumpkins?
Generally, almost all grocery stores should have pumpkins for sale before Halloween.
Smaller grocery stores with a limited selection of fruit and vegetables may sometimes not have any available – but big grocery stores should always have fresh pumpkins. I often see them stacked in bins outside.
If you are only after the puree from inside a pumpkin for cooking or baking, you will also find that in jars in most grocery stores. Buying pumpkin meat in a jar is a lot easier than peeling a pumpkin and scooping the inside of it out.
Do Grocery Stores Sell Pumpkins Only For Halloween?
You might notice pumpkins for sale all over the place in the weeks before Halloween. If you generally do not buy pumpkins at other times of the year, you may believe that grocery stores only sell pumpkins for Halloween.
But that is not always true. Sometime grocery stores sell pumpkins year round based on the local demand. If people want pumpkins a grocery store may order based on customer needs.
Try looking to see if your grocery store is selling pumpkins year round, you may be surprised.
You definitely only notice pumpkins more in those October weeks because grocery stores want to make a bigger profit. They know people want to carve pumpkins for Halloween, so they ensure shoppers can easily see them in-store! The quantity is high so they make the supply high at this time too.
When Do Grocery Stores Sell Pumpkins?
Some grocery stores sell pumpkins throughout the year though you will notice seasonal differences in availability and pricing. Not all pumpkin types might be available at all times.
In the time before Halloween, you will see a lot of pumpkins for sale. This has not only to do with Halloween but also with the fact that this time of the year is harvest season for many types of pumpkins.
Can I Buy Pumpkins Online?
Some grocery stores do home deliveries. You can do online shopping if you want to buy pumpkins but you do not feel like carrying them around.
While Amazon is not a grocery store as such, you can also get ordinary pumpkins thanks to their cooperation with Wholefoods.
The obvious disadvantage to buying pumpkins online is that you will not have a say in what the pumpkin looks like. If you want a certain size and shape, it is best to go to a grocery store and buy a pumpkin.
Buying Pumpkins FAQs
What Is The Best Pumpkin For Carving?
You know what a cool Halloween pumpkin looks like – but which type of pumpkin is the best to use for carving?
Carving pumpkins typically have thinner skin than other pumpkins – and a thin skin makes carving a lot easier. Avoid buying pumpkins labeled as “pie pumpkins,” as these will be harder to carve (but are better for cooking!).
In the time leading up to Halloween, many grocery stores will have the classic look pumpkin types displayed in more prominent spots and will often label them “great for carving” (or similar wording).
Some good carving pumpkin types are Appalachian, Autumn Gold (ideal if you want to carve the pumpkin and have a tasty inside for cooking), Spirit, Sunlight, and Wolf (usually has a big “handle”).
To make the whole job of carving easier, I recommend getting Halloween Pumpkin Carving Kit Tools. These carving tools come with some stencils and LED tealights. It’s all you need for the job in one useful set that you can use for many years.
What Is The Best Variety Pumpkin For Cooking?
There are dozens of pumpkin types. While all pumpkins are edible, some taste better than others. One kind of pumpkin might be suitable for pies, while others are better suited for cooking savory dishes. To get into cooking and baking with pumpkins, you need to research which types are best for what.
As an example, Cherokee Bush is best for roasting or as a base for a savory soup.
If you are looking for some recipes other than pumpkin pie, then this book full of pumpkin recipes is a great gift to yourself!
Final Thoughts
It is typically easy to find pumpkins in grocery stores before Halloween, but you might not always find the one all year round. You may need to call some local farms to find some during the off season. I wish you luck in finding the right pumpkin for your needs!