Sure, pumpkins make great jack-o’-lanterns. But there’s a lot more to these orange icons of fall than spooky faces and pumpkin spice. With Halloween just around the corner, here are six fun facts that might make you see pumpkins in a whole new light.

1. It’s a fruit—not a vegetable!
   Botanically speaking, pumpkins are fruit because they grow from a flower and contain seeds. They’re part of the same plant family as cucumbers, melons and squash.
2. Pumpkins have been around for a very long time.
   Pumpkins and other types of squash have been grown in the Americas for thousands of years. Long before pumpkins became Halloween decorations, Indigenous peoples cultivated them as an important food source.
3. That orange color is a nutritional clue.
   Pumpkins are packed with beta-carotene, the pigment responsible for their bright orange color. Your body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which helps support healthy vision, skin and the immune system.
4. Pumpkin packs a healthy punch.
   Pumpkin is low in calories and provides fiber, potassium, vitamin C and vitamin A. And don’t overlook canned pumpkin—it can be a convenient, nutritious option year-round. Just look for plain pumpkin rather than pumpkin pie filling, which usually contains added sugar.
5. The seeds are a snack worth saving.
   Before you toss those seeds after carving your jack-o’-lantern, consider roasting them. Pumpkin seeds provide protein, healthy fats, fiber, magnesium and zinc. A little oil and your favorite seasoning can turn them into a crunchy Halloween treat. Boo to food waste!
6. Jack-o’-lanterns weren’t always pumpkins.
   The tradition of carving spooky faces began in Ireland and Scotland, where people carved turnips and other root vegetables. When the tradition made its way to North America, pumpkins turned out to be much easier to carve—and considerably more festive. And that’s how pumpkins went from dinner table to doorstep.

This Halloween, remember: the humble pumpkin is more than a decoration. It’s a piece of history, a nutritional powerhouse and, yes, a pretty great canvas for a scary face.