I like my pumpkins black, like I like my metal

When a Facebook friend posted a picture of a black pumpkin labeled as a rare heirloom variety, I was skeptical. Pfffft -- Photoshopped, I thought. But then, I had to look it up, and - THEY DO EXIST! This one's called Dark Knight (not to be confused with a Batman-themed jack o'lantern) .

(image source: https://www.kitchengardenseeds.com/pumpkin-dark-knight.html)

They're really more of a very dark green, but wow! They're fantastic. And this particular pumpkin isn't the only dark-hued variety. This article on the site Home for the Harvest has compiled a list of heirloom pumpkins with dark skins, including this striking variety (and continuing the Batman theme), the Batwing pumpkin:

 

 (image source: https://www.harrisseeds.com/products/12338-pumpkin-batwing-mix?variant=35441581228104BliOnm9gXXMIKoJoQ=s1247)

This one might be familiar - the kabocha, found pretty commonly in grocery stores, also called kabocha squash or Japanese pumpkin, another dark-green, almost black variety. They make fantastic eating, too; the texture of their cooked innards is more akin to a sweet potato.

(image source: https://www.westcoastseeds.com/products/kurinishiki-mini-kabocha)

The kabocha pumpkin is also beloved by superstar Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama, who has featured the pumpkin as a recurring theme in her works many times during her career, including one of her infinity mirror room installations titled All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins (2016). (Same, Ms. Kusama -- same.)

(image source: https://publicdelivery.org/yayoi-kusama-pumpkins/)

I don't have much of a green thumb, but if I had my own house & yard, I wouldn't mind taking a stab at growing some of these amazing looking pumpkins. Maybe someday!