Dirtynailz post about pumpkins reminded me that you must all be breathlessly awaiting the final installment on my original post from March about Neck Pumpkins, White Greasy Beans, and Blue-Podded Peas. You are, right? Well, you can finally breathe, because here is the final installment. (You can see my report on Blue-Podded Peas here and White Greasy Beans here.)

Here is my entire Neck Pumpkin crop.

(Yes, we had a bumper crop of non-neck pumpkins this year. I’m taking orders…) I got one fruit. I think it may not have been in an optimum spot for sun. But what it lacked in numbers it made up for in weight. This baby was over 7 pounds of almost pure flesh. So once I peeled it and chopped it up…

…which, by the way, I had to do in two batches, as the neck pumpkin was huge, then baked it and pureed it…

…again, in two batches, I found I had enough neck pumpkin puree for 3 pies. Three yummy pies. I made one and froze the rest of the puree for Thanksgiving.

I found a recipe for “Amish Neck Pumpkin Pie” online (of course), but it’s just a basic pumpkin pie recipe, and I’m sure any decent one will do.

So the final verdict on my 2010 garden experiments? All three were quite successful. Admittedly I didn’t get a lot of production from the neck pumpkins, but seriously, how many pies do you really need? I wouldn’t have minded a few extra to give away, but I was pretty happy with what I got. I can’t wait to try some new and exciting stuff next year.