Can green pumpkins be ripe?

Most gardeners erroneously assume that green pumpkins are not ripe; however, several varieties mature to a green, blue-gray, or even white color. Color is no indication of ripeness, and variety can be quite characteristic, even at maturity. For instance, Jarrahdale and Knucklehead are sweet and have hard rinds when mature, but are still decidedly green.

Judge ripeness by patting and tapping rather than counting on color. Green pumpkins are just as hard as orange ones. They dry the stem thoroughly when ready; the vine withers in the same way. Never leave them in the field to color up if you want some color on them.

Avoid these mistakes with harvesting green varieties as well; for many, don't wait for the orange tones that never develop. Don't wait to feel soft skin that means nothing; instead, test the rind's hardness as well. For varieties where you should harvest based on the skin color turning and stem drying, crops can ripen to an orange color and then are harvested when a hollow sound is felt. Don't hesitate!

Although few non-orange pumpkins are available, they all have unique advantages. Green pumpkins have denser (and less watery) flesh than the orange types, while Jarrahdale makes fine roasting cubes and Knucklehead is a great pureed base for soup. Knuckleheads aren't orange, and neither are the rest; they tend to have flavours more reminiscent of nuts than traditional orange sweetness.

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Read the full article: When to Harvest Pumpkins: Ultimate Guide