"Kakai" Hulless Seed Pumpkin

Cucurbita pepo

Grow your own hulless seeded pumpkins! It is possible with varieties like Kakai. Pumpkin seeds (often called pepitas) from the grocery store are from pumpkins whose seeds have hulls that have been mechanically removed. You will notice that Kakai hulless seeds are much larger and are a deeper, darker green than the grocery store type. The flavor of hulless pumpkin seeds is a rich and delectable experience— very full-bodied, nutty and sweet. They make divine nut cheese and other savory delights. The pumpkin flesh is blander than pie pumpkin as these varieties were bred for seed production. Early strains of hulless seeded pumpkins originated after a chance mutation and further selection by Austrian growers for oil seed. “Kakai” was later developed and selected in Japan. Will Bonsall, of the Scatter Seed Project, points out that the hulless seeded trait may have previously been selected for in Curcurbita pepo’s ancestral homeland, the present day Americas, as it is possible to have demonstrated such a mutation on more than one occasion, but this knowledge could have been lost. We hope you enjoy this autumnal treat!

Growing Instructions:

Sow indoors 2 to 3 weeks before setting out after last frost or direct seed after last frost. 

Set plants/seeds 24" apart.

Space rows 5 to 6 feet apart.

Amend soil with good compost. We also recommend a fall or spring cover crop of peas or another annual legume to fix nitrogen for the squash plants.

Mulch with leaves, or whatever you have available, to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Make sure soil pH is between 5.8 and 7.0. If plant needs a growing boost, water with nitrogen tea or compost tea a few times. If trace minerals are inadequate, sprinkle a small amount of woodash in each planting hole.

Harvest Instructions:

Harvest before first hard frost. These pumpkins will be green at time of harvest (see photo above). Allow pumpkins to cure in a dry place for a few weeks or until they begin turning orange. This variety will maintain green stripes even once it has fully ripened. Crack open the pumpkin, scoop out seeds. We use a 1/2” metal mesh screen to rub off the pumpkin flesh from the seeds (see photo above). Lay out seeds in a single layer on a screen rack some place warm and dry. Check on them and flip as needed to fully dry. Once dry, you can remove the thin film right off the seed by rubbing them between your hands. Store in airtight containers for delicious homegrown pepitas!