How to tell the difference between Male and Female Flowers
The male flower is pretty obvious to recognize; it looks like a male
The female flower has a little growth developing which will grow into a pumpkin if it matures.
I waited all summer and none of my female flowers turned into a pumpkin. Most of them just shriveled up and fell off the plant as soon as they started looking like a pumpkin. However, my vine produced dozens of flowers, so I decided to make good use of them and eat them! They are delicious. Here’s an easy recipe for Fried Pumpkin Flowers.
Make a batter using 2 eggs and 1/2 cup - 1 cup of milk for 12 flowers. Add freshly grated parmesan cheese to the batter. Dip the flowers into the batter one at a time until coated and place in frying pan with oil. Turn them over when one side is done. Fries within a few minutes. Very delicious!
I tried my luck with growing pumpkins in 2003 but got no pumpkins although the vine was huge and took over my walkway!