About 40 000 ha of pumpkins are grown yearly in South Africa. Pumpkins are being produced countrywide in South Africa. Pumpkins are produced on a larger scale in the Mpumalanga Highveld and Lowveld; Vryburg in North West; Western Cape and Vereeniging in Gauteng.
Are there pumpkins in Nigeria?
The pumpkin is popularly known as ugu. It is a native plant of West Africa and is mostly grown and consumed in the southern part of Nigeria.
What is pumpkin called in Nigeria?
Ugwu
Fluted pumpkin, commonly called Ugwu in Igbo dialect, is one of the most consumed dark green leafy vegetables which many us are unaware of its benefits to the body. Pumpkin leaves can be consumed in various ways – It can be made as a soup, added to salads, made as a dessert or eaten raw.
What country are pumpkins native to?
Scientists believe that pumpkins originated in North America about 9000 years ago. The oldest pumpkin seeds have been found in Mexico and date back to somewhere between 7000-5550 B.C.. Pumpkins (along with other forms of squash) were a historically important food staple among Native Americans.
Is pumpkin grown in Ghana?
Three kinds of εfere (pumpkin) are recognized in Ghana (14):(1) εfere pa, or ‘good pumpkin’ — large, white fruit. (2) Akomfem-fere, or ‘guinea-fowl’s pumpkin’ — spotted or speckled fruit, spherical and smaller than (1). (3) Akan-fir, or ‘The Akan’s pumpkin’, commonly grown in the Cape Coast area.
What is pumpkin leaves called in Ghana?
Ugu (also known as fluted pumpkin leaves) is a green leafy vegetable that is popular across Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.
What is the English name for ugu?
Common names for the plant include fluted gourd, fluted pumpkin, ugu (in the Igbo language), and ikong-ubong (in the Efik and Ibibio languages).
What are the side effects of pumpkin?
Side effects from pumpkin products are rare, but might include stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and nausea. It might also cause itching, rash, and allergic reactions in some people.
What is pumpkin in Yoruba language?
Cucurbitapepo (pumpkin), also known as elegede or agbeje in Yoruba, is one of the species in this utility category.
Is Nigeria pumpkin seed edible?
Pumpkin seeds are edible seeds from the pumpkin plant. The plant also produces pumpkin leaves, or ugu leaves. Pumpkin seeds are one of the most healthy edible seeds in Nigeria. It is rich in valuable nutrients such as phosphorus, magnesium and manganese.
Do pumpkins grow in Afghanistan?
Pumpkin is a cosmopolitan. Except for Antarctica, it grows on every continent, even in the Australian outback. In Afghanistan and Iran it is just as appreciated as in the US, in South America it is just as popular as in Japan – if you are now thinking of the Hokkaido pumpkin with the edible skin, you are right.
Are pumpkins an American thing?
Native to North America (northeastern Mexico and the southern United States), pumpkins are one of the oldest domesticated plants, having been used as early as 7,000 to 5,500 BC. Pumpkins are widely grown for food, as well as for aesthetic and recreational purposes.
Who grew the first pumpkin?
Archaeologists discovered the oldest domesticated pumpkin seeds in the Oaxaca Highlands of Mexico. Pumpkins are believed to have originated in Central America over 7,500 years ago. The first pumpkins held very little resemblance to the sweet, bright orange variety we are familiar with.
Do pumpkins grow in the rainforest?
Most certainly, yes, you can grow pumpkins in the tropics and this post is about experiences, tips, and must-know facts, about growing pumpkins in a tropical climate.
Are pumpkin leaves poisonous?
As it turns out, pumpkin leaves, sometimes called pumpkin greens, are edible, nutritious, and delicious. Moreover, using them in your cooking will help you get the most out of your pumpkin plants.
Is pumpkin leaf good for kidney?
Fluted pumpkin leaves contains the amount of protein needed for hormone balancing; tissue repairs and regulates the acidities of body cells and organs [3]. The plant contains high amounts of phosphorus making it useful for keeping off onset of kidney diseases like kidney stone.
Is pumpkin leaves good for diabetes?
Known to help reduce the sugar level in the blood, the hypoglycemic effect of pumpkin leaves help keep diabetes under control. Studies have also shown that the aqueous leaf extract of pumpkin leaves acts as anti-diabetic properties which help to reduce and regulate the glucose level of diabetic patients.
What is spinach called in Nigeria?
Efo tete
For the sake of everyone connected to this column, here are the names of spinach in the three major languages in Nigeria: Efo tete or Amunututu in Yoruba (literally, a cool appetizer to the stomach), Akwukwo nri in Ibo and Ganye alayyafo in Hausa.
What does water Leaf do in the body?
Waterleaf is a good source of vitamin A. Research indicates that eating a diet rich in vitamin C reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and slows age-related cognitive decline. Waterleaf is an excellent source of vitamin C, with about 31 mg for every 100 grams of vegetable matter.
What are the benefits of eating ugu leaves?
Lowers blood sugar: It has an anti-diabetic effect. This is made possible due to the content of polysaccharides and ethyl acetate which have been effective in lowering the blood sugar levels. Improves blood production: The leaves are always recommended for patients who suffer from a shortage of blood.
Is pumpkin good for sperm?
May Improve Sperm Quality
Pumpkin seeds are also high in antioxidants and other nutrients that can contribute to healthy testosterone levels and improve overall health. Together, all these factors may benefit fertility levels and reproductive function, especially in men.