Pumpkins Anyone?

I love pumpkins. In fact, I am always excited when the fall season arrives because it is then, I know it’s time for pumpkins! We carve our pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern for Halloween, and then use its remains for other things. There is pumpkin bread, chocolate chip pumpkin muffins, pumpkin scones, pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie (which is not a favorite of mine but others in my extended family enjoy it). And finally, of course we roast and snack on the pumpkin seeds! Which are a great source of protein, magnesium, copper, and zinc, by the way.

Pumpkins are gourds-same as cucumber, honeydew melon, watermelon, cantaloupe and zucchini. Most do not realize that pumpkins are fruits-not vegetables. The history of pumpkins in North America dates back 5,000 years, they are indigenous to the Western Hemisphere. Jacques Cartier is prized with bringing back to France (from the St. Lawrence region of North America in the 1500’s) “gros” or melons. “Gros” was later translated into English as “pompions”; which eventually evolved into what we call “pumpkin” today. Pumpkins aren't just for Halloween. Why not get yourself a pumpkin and enjoy a whole host of sweet and savory tantalizing treats?