By Blake Jackson
Americans love pumpkins, especially during Halloween. This year, we're expected to spend over $800 million on these festive gourds.
The tradition of carving pumpkins dates to Ireland, where people would carve turnips into lanterns to scare away evil spirits on the Celtic festival of Samhain, which is now celebrated as Halloween. When Irish immigrants came to America, they found that pumpkins were easier to carve than turnips, and the tradition was born.
Today, pumpkins are grown all over the world, but in the United States, they are primarily sold for decoration. While pumpkins are edible, they are not as popular as other winter squash, such as butternut and acorn squash.
However, pumpkins do offer some health benefits. They are high in beta carotene (vitamin A) and are a good source of dietary fiber. The spices in pumpkin pie also have health benefits. For example, allspice has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and stomach-calming properties.
Plant breeders today are focused on developing pumpkins with ornamental appeal rather than culinary qualities. As a result, pumpkins come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Some newer varieties mature into a deep orange color earlier than traditional pumpkins, and many have large, dark green stems for convenience. There are even pumpkins with warty rinds, which make them look even more ghoulish when carved into jack-o'-lanterns.
When selecting a pumpkin for decoration, look for one that is free of blemishes. To test for ripeness, pierce the rind with your thumbnail. If you can pierce it easily, the pumpkin is not ripe and will not store well.
Whether you're carving a jack-o'-lantern or baking a pumpkin pie, this fall staple is a delicious and festive way to celebrate Halloween.
Photo Credit: gettyImages-digitalvision
Categories: Missouri, General