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The Great Pumpkin
Whether glowing as jack o’ lanterns with grimacing smirks, resting decoratively among the fallen foliage on porch stoops, or offered on the table in one of their many delicious sweet and savory reincarnations, pumpkins are a ubiquitous symbol of fall.
A Bite into Pumpkin History
Even in our youngest imaginations we envision pumpkin as being present at the first Thanksgiving feast; and while maybe slightly enchanted, our youthful minds were not mistaken.
The Native Americans first introduced us to the pumpkin, gifting the Pilgrims with seeds and teaching them how to harvest and utilize the winter squash. Long before we knew of them, the early Native Americans used pumpkins in many different ways as part of their diets and beyond, as they (rightfully) believed that they held various health and medicinal benefits.
And while pumpkins may have been present at the first Thanksgiving, despite cliché, pumpkin pie was not. According to historians, the Pilgrims had no oven and low sugar supply, and so the meal did not feature any of the autumnal sweets we now consider staples. Pumpkin pies, cakes, and other recipes developed years later as somewhat of a testament to our delicious discovery.
Ways to Enjoy Pumpkin
In addition to being the star of everyone’s favorite seasonal pie, the palate pleasing flavor and bright orange color of pumpkin lends itself wonderfully to cakes, breads and muffins as well. Its versatility and effortless ability to comfort also make it just as great of a savory recipe component as it is sweet; pumpkin soup, pumpkin-flavored risotto, and pumpkin-filled ravioli are all standout choices on any fall menu.
For a healthy snack, save all of the seeds that you scoop of out this year’s jack o’ lantern; clean and dry them, then roast in a 350 degree oven until golden brown (about 30 minutes). Toss with butter and salt or get creative with different spices; you can go sweet with cinnamon and sugar, or spicy with smoked paprika and cayenne.
Health Benefits of Eating Pumpkin
Low in fat and calories, and loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, the pumpkin is one of the healthiest and most nutritious foods you can find—fresh or canned. Its various elements found in both the pulp and seeds have been shown in studies to help manage weight, fight aging, and reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers, to name a few.
Here are some of our favorite recipes featuring pumpkin
Pumpkin Picking
Mostly all pumpkin recipes call for canned puree, but perhaps you are interested in starting from scratch, directly from the source? There are hundreds of different varieties of pumpkins to choose from; while some are good for carving, others are better suited for eating.
Field pumpkins such as those you see around Halloween are perfect for jack o’ lanterns but their large size and stringy pulp do not make them the best or best-tasting option for eating. More flavorful pumpkins come from smaller, sweet varieties such as the sugar pie and the slightly flattened wheel-shaped Long Island cheese pumpkin.
To make your own pumpkin puree base: cut the pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds and stringy insides. Remove the stem, quarter the pumpkin and steam over a few inches of water in the microwave or a steamer for about 30 minutes; you could also bake in a 350-degree oven for a little over an hour until soft. Scoop out the pulp from the pumpkin shell and puree with a blender. If too watery, let strain in cheesecloth or a sieve set over a bowl. Can make ahead and freeze in a zip-top bag.
