Pumpkin

Tis the Season...

and according to Linus in the timeless movie, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown:

Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere.

The word pumpkin originated in Greece as peopon meaning large melon. Though they are believed to have been found more than 9000 years ago in North America. The first seeds are believed to have originated in Mexico between 7000 and 5,000 BC. And it is well known that Native Americans used pumpkins as a basic food source. Every year 45 different varieties make up more than 1.5 billion pounds of U.S. pumpkins. They are considered a winter fruit in the Cucurbitaceae squash family, along with cucumbers and melons. Eighty percent are available for picking each October. They are full of vitamin A, potassium and antioxidant beta-carotene. Every part of the pumpkin is edible and this melon is made up of 92% water.

In addition, the seasonal carving of pumpkins was brought to North America by Irish immigrants. In an Irish legend Stingy Jack was a villain well known for playing dirty tricks on people, thus the name Jack-O-Lantern for carved pumpkins. Pumpkin season is enjoyed throughout the months of September, October and November. So while you are creating unique Jack-O-Lanterns, take time to also create unique plant-based meals using these delicious recipes for our fall pumpkins:

Some my favorite ways to utilize sweet pumpkin is in a nice spicy curry with some carrots, eggplant and basmati rice. Another way to use pumpkin is on a pizza, paired with pistachio pesto and mozzarella.