where did pumpkins originate

Pumpkins originated in Central America, specifically in the region that is now Mexico, with archaeological evidence showing cultivation dating back to around 7,500 to 5,000 BCE. These early pumpkins were smaller and more bitter than modern varieties, and indigenous peoples initially used them for their seeds and hard shells. Over time, pumpkins spread throughout the Americas and were adopted by various indigenous cultures as a staple crop before being introduced to Europe and other continents after the Columbian Exchange. This makes Central America, and particularly Mexico, the origin of pumpkins as a cultivated plant.