Pumpkins are like the Jim Belushis of the Produce Department. Big and ungainly. A little awkward, but friendly and cheerful looking. Clothed in a warm, golden hue, they're the sign of fall, the star of Halloween and the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving table.

And that's just their outside appearance. Pumpkins have a rich, satisfying flavor, are packed with vitamin A and provide an excellent source of dietary fiber and potassium. If added fat and sugar are kept to a minimum, they're surprisingly low in calories. For example, half a cup of cooked pumpkin has only 40 calories.

When selecting pumpkins for cooking, choose relatively small ones that feel hard, have no soft spots or cracks and seem heavy in relation to their size. Store them in a cool place.

When selecting pumpkins for carving, anything goes. Besides the standard jack-o'-lantern shape, look for tall, oval shapes for spooky effects. Or, if you can find them, pumpkins with long, crooked stems. Use our handy patterns for carving ideas!

The easiest way to prepare pureed pumpkin for cooking is to OPEN A CAN! Or, you can:

• Cut the pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp.
• Cook cut-side down in an oven (about 1 hour per pound) or microwave (about 6 to 7 minutes per pound).
• Cook small pumpkins whole after piercing them with a few small holes to allow steam to escape.
• After microwaving, let pumpkins stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow heat within to equalize.