Generations of Pumpkins

A family member was able to share some seeds from pumpkins that our family have been growing for generations. Having brought the seeds from Mexico, they present no issues when grown here in our California climate. They are often placed on aluminum roofing in Mexico, where they are stored during the colder winter months. From what I understand, they are put there as a means of storage where they can ripen even more once off the vine. No animals can get to them and they have plenty of ventilation making them resistant to rot. Other means of preservation is cutting them into thick like ribbons, hanging them from strings and then leaving them to dehydrate. In times of famine, they would then re-soak the pieces in water, where they would taste just the same as when they were fresh.