Peppers: Pumpkin Habanero

Variety: Pumpkin Habanero (Capsicum Chinense)
Principal Investigator(s): James Simon, Albert Ayeni, Thomas Orton

Rutgers' Pumpkin Habanero is an open-pollinated pepper variety that was developed from a field cross between African and Mexican habanero peppers.

The plant is bushy with bifurcative branching, 30-36 inches tall and 38-49 inches wide, and very attractive at maturity with red ripe pendulous fruit. Ripe fruit is large and red with thick and firm wall, “unidentified flying object (UFO)” in shape and smooth glossy skin.

Rutgers Pumpkin Habanero has been evaluated agronomically in the field in southern, central and northern New Jersey since 2011. Samples have been test-marketed in ethnic groceries and farmers markets in central NJ, while the Rutgers Dining Services in collaboration with the private sector has conducted a taste test on the quality of hot sauce and confirmed it is of high quality in flavor, taste and texture.