For some, autumn doesn’t officially begin until they make their annual trip to the pumpkin patch. Whether you’re selecting a pumpkin for carving or cooking, you may notice that some of them come with noticeable warts. That’s not necessarily a defect — many gourds are bred to look that way. Though some pumpkins are perfectly smooth, others are sought out for their witch-like warts. Agriculture companies are aware of this and will selectively breed crops to achieve the gnarled look. In other instances, bumps and knobs are a sign that a squash is unwell. Viruses like papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) and zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) can also cause pumpkins to be deformed and knobby and may cause them to develop unusual color patterns. Even when a pumpkin’s lumps are the result of health issues, they’re still safe to eat most of the time.
