October 26 National Pumpkin Day #PumpkinDay
National Pumpkin Day falls on October 26. Pumpkins are so much more than just a fun holiday accessory. Not only are Pumpkins one of the best-known sources of beta-carotene (an antioxidant converted to vitamin A in the body), but Pumpkins are loaded with fiber, potassium, and Vitamin C. Try some on National Pumpkin Day (and of course have a little fun carving Pumpkins with your friends and family).
Did you know Pumpkins are a member of the Gourd family? Which includes Cucumbers, Honeydew Melons, Cantaloupe, Watermelons and Zucchini. Most people don’t realize Pumpkins are Fruits. Not Vegetables. Pumpkins are native to Central America and Mexico, but now grow on six continents. Pumpkins history in North America goes back 5,000 years.
Pumpkins are indigenous to the Western Hemisphere. As Frenchman Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence region of North America in the 1500s, Jacques Cartier reported finding what the French called “Gros Melons.” The name was translated into English as “Pompions,” which has since evolved into the modern “Pumpkin.”
People use Pumpkins for both food and recreation especially during Halloween and Thanksgiving As well as decorating for Halloween and Fall and Pumpkins can even be used when decorating for Thanksgiving. Leave me a comment and let me know how your using Pumpkins and why..
Pumpkin Pie has become a traditional part of Thanksgiving in both the U.S. and Canada. We also carve Jack-o’-Lanterns around Halloween, although the Pumpkins we eat and the ones we carve generally come from two different types of Winter Squash. (Tip: A Gourd is generally considered inedible Squash.) Remember — Gourds get funny faces. Squash winds up on the dinner table.
The Halloween connection of Pumpkins dates back to the 1800s. The term “Jack-o’-Lantern” first appeared in 1837, while the idea of a carved Pumpkin, specifically, originated in 1866. I wonder what those Pumpkins would have looked like. Don’t you?
Farmers generally plant Pumpkins in early July. The Pumpkin requires soil that holds Water well. Crops suffer if there’s either a lack of Water or unusually chilly temperatures. Still, Pumpkins are rather durable and can regrow damaged Vines if necessary.
Even Pumpkin seeds are a popular snack. Grocery Stores often sell Pumpkin Seeds both hulled and semi-hulled. Pumpkins are a good source of protein, magnesium, copper, and zinc. Looks like I need to purchase Pumkin Seeds for my snack this week. Would you like some as well?
National Pumpkin Day Activities
- Take the opportunity today to try a new way of preparing Pumpkin! If you’ve never had a roasted spicy Pumpkin Soup why not try it today? What about a Pumpkin Smoothie? Or a Pickled Pumpkin with Cinnamon. If not then you should take the opportunity and try making your own!
- Most of the time Pumpkin Pies are baked around the holidays, but don’t let that limit you: there are no rules as to when you can enjoy Pumpkin Pie. But if you do think that Pumpkin Pie belongs to Thanksgiving or Christmas only, try another Pumpkin-baked recipe including Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Muffins, pumpkin Souffle or Pumpkin Scones?
- take the opportunity today to enjoy some traditional October Pumpkin fun. Think of your favorite cartoon character, slogan, or image and have fun carving it into a Pumpkin. Print out your design and use a toothpick to poke small dots into your Pumpkin to transfer the design and get carving!
Why People Love National Pumpkin Day
- Did you know that the potassium in Pumpkins can have a positive effect on blood pressure? Eating a diet high in fiber, potassium, and Vitamin C (all of which Pumpkins have), is also associated with a reduced risk of stroke, protection against loss of muscle mass, preservation of bone mineral density, and reduction in the formation of Kidney Stones. In addition, the antioxidants and vitamins in Pumpkins could prevent degenerative damage to the Eyes. Looks like there is a lot of reasons I need to learn to eat Pumpkin. How about you?
- Pumpkins are an amazingly versatile Fruit, Pumpkins can be used in sweet, savory, spicy, or salty dishes! You can bake Pumpkins, boil Pumpkins, steam Pumpkins, puree Pumpkins, and even fry Pumpkins. With so many ways to prepare Pumpkins, and so many flavors you can add to Pumpkins, there is guaranteed to be a way that appeals to everyone.
- Everyone loves carving Pumpkins, and to top it off, Pumpkin Carving is a great way to have fun with the kids. Invite your neighbors and your friends over and have a Pumpkin-carving party.
Recipe Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Additional Time: 5 mins Total Time: 40 mins Servings: 24 Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25 ounce) package spice cake mix
- 1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
Directions
- Gather all ingredients.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
- Stir together cake mix and pumpkin in a large bowl until well blended.
- Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
- Bake in the preheated oven until centers are set, 18 to 20 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
