Pumpkins originally came from the Americas, especially Mexico and Central/South America, where they were first domesticated thousands of years ago. The oldest pumpkin seeds found so far date back to around 9,000 years ago in Mexico.

Origin

Pumpkins are native to the Americas, not Europe or Asia. Indigenous peoples grew early forms of them long before European contact, and the crop became part of the “three sisters” planting tradition with corn and beans.

How they spread

After Europeans arrived in the Americas, pumpkins were taken back to Europe during the Columbian Exchange. From there, they spread widely and eventually became a fall food symbol in places like the United States.

Word history

The word “pumpkin” comes through English from older words like “pompion,” which traces back to Greek roots meaning “large melon”.

TL;DR: Pumpkins are originally from the Americas, with their earliest known history in Mexico and nearby regions.