Pumpkins

It’s impossible to go anywhere these days and not run into pumpkins. Everywhere in America, but especially in the Midwest, fall wouldn’t be fall without this tidal wave of jolly orange globes. The time is right for a dose of pumpkin history and trivia.

• Natives to North America, pumpkins are a pre-Hispanic crop that dates back over 7,500 years. Central America (which is geographically a part of North America) and southern Mexico are believed to be their birthplace. Archeologists have discovered ancient seeds in the Oaxaca highlands of Mexico. Pumpkins are cultivated on every continent now, except Antarctica.
• Native Americans were growing pumpkins even before they cultivated corn and beans.
• The word “pumpkin” comes from the Greek word for large melon or pepon. The French turned this into pompon, the English into pumpion which then morphed into pumpkin.
• In 1584, Jacques Cartier was exploring the St. Lawrence region and reported finding “gros melons”. The French explorers subsequently introduced the pumpkins to France and from there they went across the Channel to England. The Europeans quickly figured out that pumpkins made great pies. Recipes for pumpkin pie have been found in 17th century English cookbooks.
• The earliest pumpkin recipe in America probably wasn’t for pies. The Pilgrims and early settlers hollowed out pumpkins, filled the shells with milk, honey and spices and baked them.
• In today’s world, China, Russia and India account for 53% of global pumpkin consumption. We Americans carve them more than we eat them. To be precise, only 1/5 of the pumpkins grown in our country are processed into canned pumpkin. Morton, Illinois claims to be the “Pumpkin Capital of the World”. Libby’s processing plant is located there.
• Botanically, pumpkins are simultaneously a fruit, a squash and a member of the Curcurbita family of plants. Other family members include cucumbers, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, watermelons and zucchini.

Enjoy your pumpkins whether they are decorations, Jack-o-lanterns, pie, bread, soup, roasted seeds or the edible flowers. We are all happier because of them.