Spotlight: Pumpkins
It’s October, so that means it’s only right to highlight the star of the show: the pumpkin. Below, we share fun facts, cooking tips, and much more! Let’s get festive together —
history of the pumpkin
Pumpkins originate from northeastern Mexico and southern United States and have been around for a very long time; Indigenous communities actually grew pumpkins before staples such as maize and beans were discovered. Pumpkins really go way back!
There are accounts of Jacques Cartier, a French explorer, documenting his personal discovery of the infamous “gros melons”, which was directly translated into “pompions”, and later has taken the name that we all know and love: “pumpkin.” Isn’t “pumpkin” much better than “gros melons”?
Pumpkins are part of the gourd family—think watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, cucumbers. There are more than 40 different varieties, ranging from beautiful red and green colors. Physically, they all take on quirky shapes and sizes. Rule of thumb: if it looks funky, it’s probably a gourd!
pumpkin’s relationship with halloween
When you think of pumpkins, it’s so hard to not think all things Halloween and harvest time. Why is this? Let’s find out!
One of the reasons we incorporate pumpkins and pumpkin carvings into the holiday is because of an old Irish tradition. Dating back hundreds of years, they used to carve potatoes and turnips! Imagine how funny and quirky that would be! When the tradition came to America, the pumpkin became the canvas of choice and what is common today.
We also see pumpkins as a form of decor inside and outside of the home. They truly strike the perfect Halloween feel.
cooking with pumpkins (pumpkin spice latte anyone?)
You can get real creative with pumpkins in the kitchen. We’ve listed out some fun pumpkin recipe ideas you can create on your own! By the way, did you know that all parts of a pumpkin are edible? That means one thing—options! Here are a handful of ideas:
Pumpkin bread—make it from scratch or use a pre-made mix!
Brew some pumpkin tea
Roast pumpkin seeds in the oven
Make your own pumpkin spice latte or pumpkin chai
Chocolate chip pumpkin cookies, of course!
Pumpkin soup for a cozy fall day
Whip up some pumpkin waffles and/or pancakes to start your morning
Pumpkin pie! A classic!
gardening gourds
Most pumpkins, about 80% of them, are harvested in October. It really is meant to be a spooky gourd! In order to pick this crop during the holiday season, you will have to plant it late May to early June. They take an estimate of 120 days to grow and poof! They will be ready to harvest in October for your front doors or kitchens. Keep the seeds to grow your pumpkins the following season!
We do wish we can create pumpkins as easily as it is done in Cinderella, but 120 days will definitely do!
fun facts about pumpkins
The word “pumpkin” made its first appearance through the fairytale story of Cinderella!
PUMPKINS ARE FRUITS! Yes, we just blew your mind.
The biggest pumpkin recorded was found in Belgium weighing over 2,600 pounds! Incredible!
Each pumpkin carries around 500 seeds! Bake them or save them for next year's growing season
Pumpkins are 90% water—what! Who knew?!
