Tennessee Sweet Potato Pumpkin

95 days — A very old pumpkin / squash variety. Back when this was a new release, pumpkins were for eating. These do not look like what we would consider a “pumpkin” in this Jack-O-Lantern day and age. The fruit are pear-shaped with creamy, white color skin that is striped in faint green. It is an excellent keeper; if stored properly it can last over six months. The flesh is light colored, fine grained, very dry and resembles sweet potatoes in flavor. Makes an excellent pie. Fruit average ten to twenty pounds in weight.

It is said to have first been listed in 1847 by New York seedsman Grant Thorburn as ‘Green Striped Bell’ and then, most likely re-named by W. Atlee Burpee in 1883^[1] to ‘Tennessee Sweet Potato’. Other synonyms used over the years include, ‘Genesee Sweet Potato’, ‘Virginia Sweet Potato’, and simply, ‘Sweet Potato’.  Whether it was simply renamed or possibly a selection of the original, this is what Burpee had to say in 1883 and it still holds true today:

Our original seed sample was sent to us by David Pendergrass in Middle Tennessee, whose seed originated from USDA accession number NSL 5197. Rare and in limited supply. Each packet contains two grams, which is approximately 10 to 15 seeds.