Pumpkins: potirons or citrouilles

Question

This passage uses potirons for pumpkins, but last year didn't we have citrouilles for pumpkins?  Are they two words for the same thing or is there a slight difference for using each one?

Céline Pickard · Accepted Answer

Bonjour Laura,
Take a look at the link below:
potiron/ citrouille
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Maricica Botescu · Answer

MesajThe difference, in short, is this:Potiron = an edible pumpkin, mainly used in cooking, for example in soups and purées. It is usually flattened in shape, with pronounced ribs.Citrouille = a pumpkin more commonly associated with Halloween, used for decorations and jack-o’-lanterns. It is generally round and may have less tasty flesh.Important: both words refer to pumpkins, but they are not exact botanical synonyms. In everyday French, however, people may use them more broadly.A simple example:Une soupe au potiron = pumpkin soup.Une citrouille d’Halloween = a Halloween pumpkin, hollowed out and carved.So, when you see potirons in a text, the emphasis is probably on pumpkins used as food; when you see citrouilles, the word may refer to pumpkins in general or to those associated with Halloween.