Pumpkin

The term pumpkin is generally used to describe the edible, usually round orange fruit of the annual vine Cucurbita pepo.http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pumpkin It also refers to the coarse Cucurbita pepo vine itself, a strong orange color and is a British term for various large-fruited winter squashes.http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pumpkin Pumpkins are ripe when the stem and skin are hard, and when thumped they sound hollow. http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/vegetable/how-to-tell-when-pumpkins-are-ripe.htm They are often used in cooking, specifically baking, for dishes such as bread, pie, soup, scones, and muffins.http://www.joyofbaking.com/PumpkinRecipes.html Pumpkins also often have faces carved into them, known as jack-o’-lanterns, to celebrate Halloween. Small pumpkins are preferable to large, stringy field pumpkins in baking. Usually sweet with dark-colored flesh, they are good for pies, soups and more. http://belvedereplantation.com/blog/2009/10/08/pumpkin-cooking-tips/ However, the biggest pumpkins work best for jack-o’-lanterns.

Although dishes such as traditional pumpkin pie can be fattening due to heavy cream and whole eggs, many low-calorie foods can be made from the fruit. Pumpkins make an ideal fat substitute in baking, as well as having an understated taste that lends itself well to a variety of dishes. http://www.joyofbaking.com/PumpkinRecipes.html The distinctive bright orange color shows it is packed with the antioxidant beta-carotene, which is believed to boost the immune system and repair free-radical damage to cells.http://healthmad.com/uncategorized/the-many-health-benefits-of-pumpkin/ Pumpkin is also a rich source of potassium and vitamins A and C, which can help prevent heart disease and normalize blood pressure. http://healthmad.com/uncategorized/the-many-health-benefits-of-pumpkin/

Pumpkins are believed to have originated in North America, and references to them date back centuries. The name pumpkin originated from “pepon”, which is the Greek word for “large melon”. http://www.pumpkin-patch.com/about.html Pumpkin was a staple in the diets of Native American Indians centuries before the pilgrims landed. They roasted long strips of pumpkin to eat, and dried strips to weave into mats. When the white settlers arrived, pumpkin quickly became common in their diets. The settlers used them in a wide variety of dishes, from stews and soups to desserts. Pumpkin pie was thought to have originated when colonists cut off the pumpkin top, removed the seeds and filled it with milk, spices and honey before it was cooked in ashes. http://www.pumpkin-patch.com/about.html

Pumpkins can be used in or with a variety of foods. Pumpkin is used often in baking to produce pie, soup, bread, scones and muffins.http://www.joyofbaking.com/PumpkinRecipes.html Baked pumpkin is often served as a side dish to roast meals. Baking retains most of the nutrients and is preferable to prolonged cooking, yet pumpkin can be poached, boiled, steamed or baked. http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/pumpkin-babyfood-recipes.htm Babies can eat pumpkin from 6 months old, and it is recommended to be served in pureed form or mixed into other dishes. http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/pumpkin-babyfood-recipes.htm