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Community Corner

'Caspers,' 'Baby Boos' Stand Out in a Sea of Orange

The once-rare white, heirloom and goose-bump pumpkin varieties are gaining in popularity.

When it comes to pumpkins, many heirloom colors and textures are shoulder-to-shoulder this year with the traditional smooth orange ones at area markets.

Even Michelle Obama has taken a liking to the more unusual pumpkin hues. On a recent campaign bus tour with President Barack Obama, the first lady scooped up two huge white orbs (“full moon” varieties) from a pile of gourds at a roadside pumpkin patch in Virginia, telling her husband that they will adorn the front entryway to the White House.

These naturally white pumpkins are finding their way into more homes in Metro Detroit as well. Beyond full moon, other “ghost” varieties include snowballs, luminas and caspers (in reference to everyone’s favorite friendly ghost). Tiny white pumpkins are referred to as baby boos.

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“There is a lot of interest in the more out-of-the ordinary pumpkins such as white and heirloom varieties,” said Jen King, senior manager of public relations for “Swan-shaped gourds have been popular as well.”

Those who carve white pumpkins will find they still have orange flesh beneath the white rind.  

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White pumpkins are a bit more expensive than their orange cousins. But many say the price is worth it. “I like the white pumpkins for decoration,” said Molly Smith of Royal Oak. “I feel like they're nice even after Halloween, as part of our Thanksgiving decor.”

Julie Glover, vice president of the Michigan Gourd Society, said that although the white-pumpkin seeds have been more expensive than the orange in the past, their prices are starting to decrease.

“Seed companies like Reimer are still showing prices that are pretty steep, but the miniature white-pumpkin seeds are starting to come down.” Her organization includes members throughout the state who are part of the world of gourds, from growing them to turning them into works of art. 

“White pumpkins are always more expensive because of their novelty and their supply, they’re not as accessible,” said Glover.     

“I love the white ones, I use them with white birch branches and bittersweet on my dining room table,” said Franklin’s Cindy Schiano, who also is intrigued by the bumpy varieties.  

About those bumby-skinned orbs, also known as “goose bump” varieties. Smith said she wouldn’t miss them if they don’t show up at markets in the future.

“I'm definitely not a fan of the bumpy pumpkins,” said Smith. “I'm very picky about texture and those bumpy ones definitely give me the creepy chills,” she added with a laugh.

And yet, the busy mom does plan to introduce them to her 3-year-old son, Brady. “I’d like to stop someplace that has them so my son can check them out. I think he would think they're pretty cool.”  

Something else Brady might find cool: White pumpkins are best, according to Martha Stewart, for making the perfect zombie pumpkin.

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