Whether you use pumpkins to make jack-o-lanterns or a freshly baked pumpkin pie, you may wonder if the autumnal gourd is a fruit or a vegetable. It's usually lumped into the vegetable category with potatoes and squash, but there's one key characteristic that determines if pumpkin is a fruit or vegetable.

Let's deep dive into this staple autumnal ingredient and get to the bottom of this age-old question -- is pumpkin a fruit or a vegetable?

Technically yes, a pumpkin is a fruit. The difference between a fruit and a vegetable comes down to the part of the plant we eat. A "fruit" refers to the edible part of the plant that develops from a seed into an ovary (or the product of a flower). Anything characterized as fruit contains one or more seeds and grows on a vine, tree or bush. For example, pumpkins grow on a vine, apples come from a tree and strawberries grow on a bush.

In contrast, vegetables are the other parts of the plant including the root, stem, flower and leaves. Potatoes, carrots and radishes are root vegetables that grow underground. Asparagus is a stem, broccoli is technically a flower and all leafy greens are considered leaves.

Pumpkins grow from seeds planted in the soil, which produce large vines that bear fruit. Despite the fact that pumpkins are starchy and somewhat savory, their genetic traits make all the difference. The same is true for cucumbers, tomatoes, corn and all varieties of winter squash. On the other hand, rhubarb, a traditional ingredient used to make strawberry-rhubarb pie and other desserts, is actually a vegetable.

Regardless of its botanical status, pumpkin is healthy and delicious. Pumpkins are a nutritious plant with an array of health benefits.

A ½ cup of canned, unsweetened pumpkin puree contains:

Pumpkins get their orange color from beta-carotene, the precursor to Vitamin A, a nutrient that benefits the eyes and may prevent macular degeneration. As a matter of fact, one serving of pumpkin has double the amount of Vitamin A you need in a day.

Pumpkin is also a good source of potassium, a mineral that regulates blood pressure and contributes to heart health. Additionally, one serving of pumpkin puree has 10% of the daily value of fiber, a nutrient most people don't get enough of in their diet. Fiber keeps the digestive system moving smoothly and plays a role in heart health.

Lastly, if you prefer to buy a whole pumpkin for roasting, don't discard the seeds. One of the healthiest seeds around, pumpkin seeds have protein, healthy fats, zinc, magnesium, iron and fiber. Talk about a super seed!

Pumpkin is subtly sweet, making it the perfect ingredient for sweet and savory dishes. Here are some yummy pumpkin-filled dishes to enjoy this holiday season.

This is not your grandmother's pumpkin pie. Curtis Stone shared his recipe for an over-the-top pumpkin pie on TODAY, which features a homemade gingersnap crumble and mascarpone whipped cream.

Skip the line at the local coffeeshop by making a homemade pumpkin spice latte. It starts with a whole sugar pumpkin, which will be roasted and transformed into a flavorful purée. Combine the purée with simple syrup and spices for a natural twist on this fall classic.

Get a double dose of potassium in these good-for-you muffins, which are a favorite in the Dreyer household. They're made with three bananas, pumpkin purée and applesauce, which delivers natural sweetness and a moist texture.