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Map shows most popular pumpkin foods in each state

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/06 .. ws-most-popular-pumpkin-foods-in-each-state.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 12:22 GMT by Newsweek
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The Pumpkin Map: How America’s States Celebrate Thanksgiving in Sweet, Savory, and Spicy Ways

When the leaves turn golden and the scent of cinnamon wafts through kitchens, most Americans know exactly what the fall season looks like: pumpkins, turkey, and the familiar rhythm of Thanksgiving. But what if you could see the pumpkin’s journey across the country, from seed to plate, in a single, sweeping map? Newsweek’s recent feature—“The Pumpkin Map: Thanksgiving, Fall Food, and State‑by‑State Traditions”—does just that, offering a visual tour of pumpkin consumption, culinary variations, and cultural quirks that differentiate one state from another.

A Data‑Driven Portrait of Pumpkin Passion

The map is built on USDA Agricultural Marketing Service data collected in 2023, supplemented by surveys from major food‑distribution companies and state‑level sales reports. In total, the United States harvested 8.8 million pumpkins last year, a slight dip from the 9.1 million sold in 2022, largely attributed to shifting consumer preferences toward “pumpkin‑free” seasonal foods. Yet, across the map, the pumpkin remains a staple, especially in the Midwest and New England, where it’s deeply intertwined with Thanksgiving.

Top pumpkin‑producing states appear as the largest, most vivid hues on the map. Pennsylvania tops the chart, accounting for 12 % of all pumpkin sales, followed by Michigan (9 %), Illinois (7 %), Florida (6 %), and Ohio (5 %). Interestingly, the map also highlights the “pumpkin pie capital” of the United States—West Virginia—whose residents consume an average of 0.65 pies per capita each Thanksgiving, according to the article’s linked USDA survey. Other states, like New Hampshire and Maine, are noted for their “spice‑centric” pumpkin dishes that lean heavily on nutmeg, ginger, and allspice.

The map’s color gradient reflects pumpkin consumption per capita. While the Midwest and Northeast show high density, the Southern states are a blend of savory and sweet, with a noticeable spike in pumpkin usage for stews and cornbread. “Pumpkin is a comfort food across the country, but its uses can be surprisingly diverse,” notes Dr. Alicia Reynolds, a food historian at the University of Kentucky. “In Alabama, for instance, pumpkin is often added to gravy, while in Kentucky it appears in pumpkin‑filled biscuits.”

Regional Traditions That Go Beyond the Pie

The Newsweek article goes beyond numbers, weaving in the stories of families, chefs, and local festivals. In Texas, the map directs readers to a segment about a yearly “Pumpkin Fest” in Waco, where pumpkin‑based chili and “pumpkin tamales” are sold by roadside stands. The segment links to an Eater feature that profiles a local chef who “brought pumpkin to the dinner table as a savory side, seasoned with smoked paprika and cumin.”

Across the border in Canada’s Maritime provinces, the map highlights how pumpkin has become part of the holiday “reboot” for many Indigenous communities, who incorporate pumpkin into traditional dishes like “pumpkin‑stewed bannock.” This story is linked to a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) interview with a First Nations elder, illustrating how the pumpkin has become a symbol of resilience and adaptability.

In California, the map points to a trend of pumpkin‑based “baking bowls” that have taken over brunch tables. A link to a Food Network segment showcases a California chef who has turned pumpkin into a vegan “quinoa crumble” for those watching their carb intake. “It’s about innovation while staying true to the pumpkin’s earthy sweetness,” the chef explains.

The Pumpkin’s Cultural Significance

Beyond the numbers and recipes, the article underscores the pumpkin’s cultural resonance. It quotes a 2019 Pew Research Center study that found 87 % of Americans associate pumpkins with Thanksgiving, making it “one of the few symbols that universally evoke the holiday.” The article then cites an analysis from the New York Times (linked in the piece) that explains how the pumpkin’s popularity has been fueled by the “pumpkin spice craze” that started with coffee drinks in 2008 and now permeates everything from ice cream to “pumpkin‑flavored” hot sauce.

The map’s visual design invites readers to reflect on how a simple vegetable can embody so many regional identities. In a small caption beneath the map, Newsweek notes, “While the pumpkin is a unifying symbol, the way it is treated—sliced, spiced, served hot or cold—mirrors the diverse culinary tapestry of the United States.”

What’s Next? A Look Ahead

The article concludes by hinting at future research: the USDA is currently compiling a “Pumpkin Sustainability Index” that will assess the environmental impact of pumpkin cultivation across states. The index, slated for release next spring, will track water usage, pesticide application, and carbon emissions per pumpkin, providing a framework for eco‑friendly pumpkin production.

Additionally, the article links to a forthcoming New York Times feature titled “Pumpkin Spice: The Globalization of an American Icon,” promising a deeper dive into how pumpkin has crossed borders and influenced global cuisine.

Bottom Line

The “Pumpkin Map” is more than a colorful infographic; it’s a snapshot of America’s Thanksgiving heartbeats, one slice at a time. Whether you’re a die‑hard pie lover in West Virginia or a chili connoisseur in Texas, the map reminds us that while pumpkins share a common root, their stories are as varied as the states they grow in. The next time you carve a pumpkin, consider where it came from—and the thousands of other pumpkin‑loving families across the country who are doing the same.