This is a quote i have to share:

[highlyeccentric]

Although pumpkin is readily available in many countries, Australia is the only one to consider it seriously as a vegetable.

- The Women's Weekly Cookbook, 1970-something.

We not only consider our pumpkins, we consider them *seriously*. Not like the Americans, who clearly take their pumpkins lightly, appropriating them as a source of festivity and jokes.

And just in case you thought we might consider pumpkins as meat, starch, dessert, or even furniture, let us make it clear: we consider pumpkin seriously as a vegetable. Pumpkins in this country are secure and widely affirmed in their identity as vegetables!

Pumpkin: SRS BIZNIS FOODSTUFFS

Comments

But wait, there's more!

[cursor_mundi]

Heeeey, we also turn it into fries/chips, eat it just like a baked potato, that sort of thing. The sweetness is a regional difference--much more common in the south, particularly sweet potato pie which has tons of butter as well. In the mid-Atlantic region, anyway, the candied and marshmallow-festooned version only appears as a side dish during Thanksgiving.

Re: But wait, there's more!

[waywren]

Well, yes, but in the south the aforementioned Pie is so rabidly presented that I honestly thought I hated sweet potatoes until mom did one as a baked potato and shoved a piece into my mouth. A very sad thing.

Re: But wait, there's more!

[cursor_mundi]

I hear you. The pie...does not have much in common with the potato; more in common with butter. Sweet potato fries are much tastier! (And saltier. Mmm. Salt.)