It’s that time of the year when those ridged orange balls, small, medium and large, appear in abundance. In this country they go hand in hand with fall. The pumpkin is here and its services to mankind go beyond than just being carved into a jack-o’-lantern.

This nutritious and versatile plant features flowers, seeds and flesh that are edible and rich in vitamins. From the blossoms to the seeds to the pumpkin itself, this fruit is used for soups, desserts, appetizers, breads and even as containers.

Pumpkins are a member of the gourd family, which includes cucumbers, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, watermelon and zucchini. They are native to Central America and Mexico, and are now grown on six continents. U.S. farmers grow more than 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins annually.

References to pumpkins date back many centuries. In 1584 Frenchman Jacques Cartier, after exploring the St. Lawrence region of North America, reported finding "gros melons." Its present name of pumpkin...