[Sca-cooks] Pumpkins?

[Skip Engle]

Hello all, I am new to this list so I'm sure this has been discussed 
before but I can't find a good answer for my question.  In reading a 
number of 14th century recipes I have found references to using 
pumpkins.  I have always thought of pumpkins as a new world gourd so I 
assume that they are using the word to describe some other gourd.  What 
might be the closest modern approximation to this old world gourd?
    Also, I am doing a feast in April and have been hunting for a recipe 
that I know I once saw but now can find no sign of.(don't you just hate 
that) The recipe was for carrot pudding.  It was a slightly sweet dish.  
If anyone has any period recipes for such a pudding I would be most 
grateful for the sharing.  My feast is being done on a theme of 14th 
century France.
    Thanks in advance for all the help.

Haukr Myrkjarten