Kakai Pumpkin

Kakai is a Japanese hulless pumpkin grown primarily for its naked, snackable seeds with a rich, nutty flavor when toasted. Compact plants are ideal for small spaces and produce 2 to 3 ribbed, dark-green-and-orange pumpkins of 5 to 8 pounds each.

At a glance

• Type: Hulless seed pumpkin
• Origin: Japan
• Fruit weight: 5 to 8 pounds
• Yield: 2 to 3 pumpkins per plant
• Exterior: Ribbed, dark green and orange
• Seeds: Truly hulless, perfect for roasting
• Non-GMO: Open-pollinated heirloom

Best for

• Roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
• Healthy snacking
• Small-space gardens
• Fall decoration
• Seed saving

How to grow

Direct sow after the last frost in full sun. Vines stay relatively short at 7 to 9 feet, making this a good pick for compact gardens. Harvest mature pumpkins, then scoop and dry the hulless seeds for roasting.

Flavor profile

The seeds are nutty and rich when toasted; the flesh is mild and best used in cooking rather than fresh eating.

About MIgardener

MIgardener is a Michigan-based seed company offering affordable, non-GMO heirloom seeds for home gardeners.