It's October, which means pumpkin season.
Whether with nasty faces outside on the veranda or pureed in the home oven – Pumpkins are simply part of October . But what seems so natural to us today required meticulous planning, elaborate manual labor, and above all, a whole lot of chance for many generations.
But why is the pumpkin so synonymous with autumn in general and October in particular? Why do we go to all this trouble? creepy faces to carve into his thick skin? And why is there a World record in pumpkin boat rowing ?
Come with us on an exciting journey in the footsteps of Probably the world's largest berry , from its endangered roots to its current triumphant march around (almost) the entire globe. And at the end, there's even more waiting. a small refreshment .
The pumpkin = the berry in zucchini fur?
Pumpkins were first scientifically described in 1584 by French explorer Jacques Cartier on an expedition through America. Although the Frenchman initially had no idea what kind of fruit it was, surprisingly he still managed to give the pumpkin a very fitting name: "Gros Melons".
Because pumpkins actually belong to the family of Cucurbitaceae , which have their German name “Cucumber family” actually also owes its existence to the relatively late-discovered member, together with Cucumbers, zucchini and also Melons . The latter have long been known in Europe, having been cultivated in antiquity in North Africa and Southern Europe, such as Greece.
We owe our modern name in many ways to the modern Greeks, as they literally translated Cartier's "Large Melons" into the Greek "Pepon". From there, the fruit entered the English language as "Pompion".
The modern English word "pumpkin" was actually first mentioned in the 17th century in a version of a source now known worldwide through Disney and the Brothers Grimm: Cinderella , even though this story today has hardly anything to do with its centuries-old Greek roots, in which there was no trace of stepmothers, good fairies or pumpkins.
In fact, pumpkins are not only related to melons and the like, but, as the attentive reader may have already noticed, Not a vegetable, but a fruit . Botanically speaking, pumpkins aren't even just fruits, but something quite special. A type of berry . That might sound surprising, but like berries, only a single fruit grows from each pumpkin blossom. Of course, this definition doesn't only apply to pumpkins; other so-called vegetables are, strictly speaking, actually berries, for example... Tomatoes , Eggplants and of course also Melons & Co.
Incidentally, this also means that our sweet darlings Strawberries and raspberries They are not technically berries.
Pumpkin varieties - from the bees and flowers
Although pumpkins have been known in Europe for several hundred years, their history stretches far back into the past. The plant originated in Central America , where there is evidence of the active cultivation of pumpkins dating back to the year 7000 BC reach back.
In fact, the fruit would not exist without this active cultivation by humans. It probably became extinct thousands of years ago , because it possesses a number of characteristics that make it extremely unsuitable for independent survival in the environmental conditions prevailing in its region of origin today, and would probably never have allowed the pumpkin to begin its current worldwide triumph.
Like many other plants, pumpkins are no self-pollinators and need other species, such as insects or birds, to carry pollen from one plant to another and to reproduce. In their native habitat, there was a specially adapted species of bee for this purpose, the so-called Squash bees . Honeybees can also take on this role nowadays, but these species (as readers of our Apple blogs (already known) are not native to America and only came to the New World with the European settlers.
In North America, until the arrival of honeybees, the only alternative to squash bees were the few native bumblebee species. bumblebees However, even though they love the nectar of pumpkin blossoms, bumblebees are known to actively avoid their pollen. There have even been documented cases of bumblebees that came into contact with pumpkin pollen actively rubbing it off on leaves before flying away. There are good reasons for this.
Pumpkin pollen grains are relatively large and heavy, often too heavy for smaller bumblebee species, and can cause damage to the digestive tract of bumblebees. Bumblebees and pumpkins don't go well together. In places without their own populations, even today, instead of the busy bees, equally industrious people have to pollinate each pumpkin blossom individually by hand.
In addition to pollen, pumpkins also have another size problem. Even though original pumpkins are nowhere near the monsters cultivated today (more on that later), pumpkins are relatively large fruits and have a very stable shell . The reason for this is that it developed in Central America together with the local megafauna have developed.
They were a delicacy for really large mammals such as Mammoths . The pachyderms ate the fruit, digested it during their long foraging migrations, and deposited the remains, along with the up to 500 undigested seeds per pumpkin, elsewhere, just as birds do for most, but significantly smaller, berries in this country.
With the Extinction of the megafauna At the end of the last ice age, the fruits were simply too large or too hard to be attractive to the now smaller herbivores, leaving the pumpkin with only one real chance of survival: the industrious person who, fortunately, had made it to America via the Bering Strait land bridge during the Ice Age.
Today, thankfully, the pumpkin no longer needs to worry. Humans have gradually brought it with them into the wild. almost all corners of the earth borne and today the fruit is cultivated on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica .
Over the centuries, due to different consumer preferences and varying climatic conditions, 5 basic types have now emerged. More than 70 different variations , each with its own size, shape and color.
Some of these forms are world-famous, such as the blue "Kabocha" or also Hokkaido pumpkin from Japan, the aptly named " White Ghost " (beware, spooky!) or the " Cinderella ", named in reference to the pumpkin from the world-famous Disney film of the same name because of its slightly squat-looking shape.
As is so often the case, not everything labeled "pumpkin" actually contains pumpkin. The well-known Snake gourd For example, it is actually not a pumpkin at all and rightly has the much more fitting, albeit less attractive, second name club zucchini.
Other variations, however, are rather quirky and unique, such as the " Pumpkin Stone ", a pumpkin in the iconic shape of the head of... Frankenstein's monster , as known from the classic 1931 film adaptation starring Boris Karloff as the reanimated monster.
To cultivate this work of art required the methodical crossbreeding of a total of 27 different pumpkin varieties in countless attempts over a period of four years. The costs for the undertaking are said to have amounted to... Specify over $400,000 .
The pumpkin – a survival artist
We have already discussed this so many times Thickness of the pumpkin skin Given how often pumpkins are described, it will hardly surprise most people that they are often called pumpkins. surprisingly long-lasting Fruits are. An uncut pumpkin can, depending on storage, preferably under dark and cool conditions, up to 3 months They can be stored without any problems. However, if the natural protection of the thick skin is broken, pumpkins are just as susceptible to environmental influences as any other fruit and should be eaten within one week to a maximum of 10 days before the inner flesh begins to spoil.
A historical example of the impressive longevity of pumpkins is a well-documented prank. from 1997. Unknown persons placed a pumpkin on the [street/area] one night. Top of McGraw Tower at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York – at a height of 52.7m without scaffolding or similar protective measures.
The pumpkin was soon discovered and largely ignored, as it was assumed the problem would quickly resolve itself. To everyone's surprise, this was not the case. The campus residents were soon so taken with the Durability of the object I was impressed that rumors even surfaced suggesting it was something completely different. It was only students from my own faculty who finally provided proof, when they encountered a repurposed weather balloon Samples were taken and analyzed. The result was unequivocal:
It was indeed a pumpkin.
Aided by the cool New York climate, the lone pumpkin on the tower top managed to survive for several months. throughout the entire winter and became a cult object. Even a personal webcam It was temporarily set up so that fans could check the condition of the fruit at any time of day or night.
Ultimately, however, the pumpkin had to be removed for health reasons, even though the operation unfolded quite differently than those in charge had hoped. In the spring of 1998, when the President of the University just as he was about to be hoisted onto the roof of the tower to remove the sensation himself, he grasped a gust of wind the basket of the waiting crane, which was thankfully still empty at that time.
This crashed into the thankfully undamaged tower, but the vibrations were enough to dislodge the pumpkin, which tumbled a good distance down and landed on the attached scaffolding – still intact Enough to be collected without making a big mess.
The pumpkin - a real treat, not a trick
Pumpkins are not only easy to store for a long time, they are also extremely versatile and healthy. While the sweet flesh is undoubtedly the most consumed part of the plant, theoretically, it is actually possible to eat much of the pumpkin. Every part of the plant is completely edible. – even the stems. Flowers . Preparation methods vary, but most often the flowers are washed after picking, breaded, and then deep-fried or baked in oil. Gourmets often stuff the flowers before breading. with goat cheese or similar dairy products, thus transforming the delicious side dish into a meal in its own right.
In addition, pumpkins also have a whole range of Pumpkins possess so many health-promoting substances and properties that they are even used in medicine and science to produce new substances for treating inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Pumpkins also provide a helpful health boost in our everyday lives. Consuming pumpkin seeds For example, it is associated with a lower risk of prostate problems.
Unsurprisingly, the familiar orange peel of the pumpkin contains Beta-carotene , the same substance found in carrots and other vegetables. While the old wives' tale that eating carrots and similar vegetables makes us see in the dark has been disproven, beta-carotene has other important functions. Our bodies use it, for example, to... Production of vitamin A , an important substance for our skin and eyes (even if, as mentioned, it doesn't magically give us night vision) and a helpful supporter of the immune system.
Additionally, pumpkins contain Pumpkins are rich in potassium . Potassium supports hearing, and it's even suspected that the natural decline in potassium levels with age is a major reason for our progressively worsening hearing. And contrary to popular belief, pumpkins actually surpass the pumpkin, often praised for precisely this reason, in terms of their potassium content. Banana . A cup of pumpkin pulp covers 14% of the daily potassium requirement. A whole banana, on the other hand, only provides 12%.
Also for diets Pumpkins are very suitable. Since they consist of a full 90% water, their flesh is very low in calories yet filling.
During the time of the Native Americans and later the first settlers, pumpkin was even considered an effective A remedy for snakebites . However, this property, based on the plant's anti-inflammatory properties, probably belongs more to the realm of placebo effects.
Pumpkin Pie – Baked Pumpkin
It is often said that Apple Pie is the undisputed best. Americans' soul food . However, this podium finish isn't entirely uncontested. While a full 19% of Americans still say they prefer to fill their pie with apples, it's closely followed by... Second place with a full 13% That includes pumpkin pie. Of course, we're talking about the modern version of pumpkin pie with delicious pumpkin puree in the typical American pie crust.
However, Americans haven't always enjoyed their pumpkin pie this way. oldest handed-down recipes Those from the colonial era, however, seem quite bizarre in light of our modern understanding of pie. Pumpkin pie was originally more of a pumpkin dish than a pie, namely a hollowed-out pumpkin filled with milk, honey, and a mixture of spices, then baked. The modern version of pumpkin pie does indeed appear in American cookbooks. only in the 19th century on, that is, only after the country gained independence from British colonial rule.
Unlike the rather symbolically patriotic apple pie, however, the pumpkin pie is actually an original American recipe and not a variation of centuries-old European culinary art, as is the case with apple pie.
For those who would like to try the alternative to classic Apple Pie themselves, we have all the important information right here. in our webshop :
- Pumpkin puree - Canned pumpkin from Farmers Market
- Pumpkin Pie Spice from American Heritage
- Deep glass pie dish by Anchor Hocking
For gourmets and hobby bakers, it's worth noting that pumpkins themselves contain a relatively mild and weak inherent flavor have. For the typical pumpkin pie flavor, its natural aromas must be enhanced by Addition of spices The flavor is enhanced, just as the first settlers did in their milk and honey mixture before putting the pumpkin in the oven. The traditional spice mix usually consists of Nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves and is sometimes further refined with notes of ginger and allspice.
At our Cake filling from Farmer's Market There's no need to worry about anything here: all the essential spices are already included. And for those who prefer to blend themselves, we've conveniently provided the spice mix as a pre-prepared mix. Pumpkin Pie Spice in a glass for direct mixing without extensive weighing.
The American history The history of the pumpkin, however, dates back even further than the first settlers. Exactly when it made its way from its Central American origins to the north of the continent is not fully documented, but The natives knew the fruit and cultivated it on a small scale as one of their staple foods, along with beans and maize.
According to legend, pumpkin was also one of the dishes. on the first Thanksgiving And the settlers likely learned the necessary practices for cultivating and harvesting this labor-intensive fruit from the indigenous people. However, the indigenous people's use of pumpkins extended far beyond the dinner table. They also used the hollowed-out shells as... improvised containers Mats and similar textiles were woven from dried and stripped pumpkin peel for storing other foodstuffs.
Today the The USA is undoubtedly the land of pumpkins Pumpkins are the undisputed capital of Europe, even though they have now found their way into kitchens around the globe. The true pumpkin capital is clearly in... Morton, Illinois , is the headquarters of Libby's Pumpkin Industries. Morton produces 95% of the 750,000 tons of pumpkins grown annually in the USA are processed into whole pumpkins. 80% of globally produced canned pumpkin .
And behind these already astronomical quantities lies a whole lot of work and precise planning. From pollination of the blossom to the final harvest, pumpkins require a certain amount of time, depending on the variety and size. 90 to 120 days.
Since a full 80% of the fruits ripen and need to be harvested in October, the season for pumpkin farmers usually begins as early as spring. Fortunately, honeybees now take over pollination, but manual pollination is still often necessary to guarantee the largest possible harvest. And indeed, even more haste is required here, because the female flowers Pumpkins are only fertile for a single day a year, and even then only for a narrow window of time. Just 4 hours !
Who would have thought that plants, which would hardly survive without our help, could be so picky?
Incidentally, the world's largest pumpkin comes from… Germany , or at least that's what we'd like to say. Unfortunately, the record value of 2,600 pounds, which we held until then, wasn't reached until 2016. beaten by Belgian Mathias Willemjins was awarded with a magnificent specimen of only slightly heavier 2,624.60 pounds or 1,190.50 kg .
The largest pumpkin pie ever produced weighed a whopping 3,699 pounds (1,678 kg) and had a diameter of 6 meters. The colossal pie ultimately contained a staggering 550 kg of pureed pumpkin.
Pumpkin & Co. - Surprisingly Sporty Squashes
But pumpkins are good for so much more than being pureed and vacuum-packed in cans or carved with nasty faces and displayed on the porch. In fact, this rather unassuming fruit apparently has a great deal to offer. Affinity for sports .
In Delaware, the so-called “Pumpkin Chunkin” instead – a competition in Pumpkin throwing , although the term "throwing" should be interpreted very loosely here. In fact, the pumpkins were actually thrown here. not by hand transported into the air but with Slingshots, catapults or even compressed air cannons .
However, it seems that the organizers eventually realized that it is not necessarily safe to blast a pumpkin, often weighing several kilos, around like a projectile at top speed, and so the event was cancelled. Officially abandoned in 2017 .
Canadians have their own equally quirky pumpkin sport, although it doesn't seem nearly as menacing as that of their southern neighbors. In Nova Scotia, every year the Windsor Pumpkin Regatta held – a race in which participants paddle hollowed-out giant pumpkins converted into boats over a distance of 800 meters, of course ideally without constantly turning in circles.
The competition has been held annually since 1999 and has even attracted international participants. The world record for the fastest short-distance sprint in the Pumpkin boat paddling Incidentally, since 2013 the time has been a full 2 minutes and 0.3 seconds over a distance of 100 meters.
But perhaps the strangest sporting event in North America is the annual The Naked Pumpkin Run takes place in various US states such as Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and California. As the name suggests, participants run... almost completely naked , only clothed with their shoes and a mask from a hollowed-out pumpkin over a pre-set obstacle course, often peppered with obstacles for the further amusement of the spectators. The strange spectacle probably dates back to a failed world record attempt at Boulder's University in Colorado in 1974.
Less curious, but nonetheless historically significant, it should be mentioned that pumpkins even played a key role on the Olympic package. At the end of the 19th century, this was... Olympic swimming , unlike today in secured pools and halls, in the open ocean held.
The participants were taken out by boat to a certain distance and then swam back to the beach in a race. Although it is not known whether cost played a role, hollowed-out pumpkins tied together with ropes were used for the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens. as line markings Used for the swimming lanes.
Halloween Pumpkin - Why the scary Face?
We've already talked about this so many times Halloween and the known Pumpkin lanterns Given that people have been called upon to do this, it's about time we asked: What's the point of all this?
Even though Halloween is now considered a typical American tradition As is known, the roots of the festival go far back into the past. Unfortunately, it's not entirely clear which festival is the inspiration for tonight's spooky night, but there are several good candidates.
The most likely root of modern Halloween lies in Christian tradition and the festival All Hallows' Eve , a festival commemorating the dead—especially saints and martyrs—is one example. Another alternative, and the most frequently cited, is the Celtic festival of Samhain , an ancient variant of the festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker and colder half of the year, practiced primarily in the Celtic region. in old Great Britain .
Hollowed-out pumpkins are not found in these traditions – hardly surprising, since pumpkins were not common in Europe at that time. There were no pumpkins yet . However, the tradition of scary faces already existed back then, in the hope that to ward off evil spirits that ventured into the human world as the darkness lengthened. Instead of pumpkins, however, the grotesque faces were carved into the alternatives available at the time. like potatoes or beets .
However, since these are much more difficult to work with than the pumpkins, which are very soft inside, this tradition was abandoned after its introduction to the USA. The modern version has almost completely replaced it . The fact that food is used to make lanterns at all is based, according to popular belief, on the Faustian legend of " Stingy Jack ." The story goes as follows:
Several hundred years ago, a ne'er-do-well and drunkard named "Stingy Jack" lived in Ireland, known far and wide as a swindler and con man. One night, Jack's name came to him.
The Devil then came to Jack to claim his evil soul. Jack only asked the Devil to let him have some more alcohol before taking him to Hell. The Devil agreed to this request, and he accompanied Jack to the nearest tavern . the devil to ear, who became jealous that Jack, instead of him, was being touted as the master con man. The devil then came to Jack to claim his evil soul. Jack only asked the devil to let him drink some more alcohol before taking him to hell, a request to which the devil agreed, and Jack accompanied him to the next tavern .
After drinking to the best of his ability, Jack turned to the devil and demanded of him
The devil was impressed by Jack's deception and immediately transformed himself into the coin. But instead of paying, Jack put the coin in his jacket pocket, where he also kept a crucifix, making it impossible for the devil to change his form. Now completely under Jack's control, Jack offered the devil his freedom if he would promise never to take his soul to hell. The devil reluctantly agreed to pay the bill , having agreed to Jack's request. However, the devil was taken aback, as he naturally had no money. But Jack had a brilliant idea. He suggested the devil simply pay himself.
But Jack had a brilliant idea. He suggested that the devil simply transform himself into a silver coin and, after paying, return to his normal form. Impressed by Jack's deception, the devil immediately transformed himself into the coin. However, instead of paying, Jack put the coin in his jacket pocket, where he also kept a crucifix, making it impossible for the devil to change his shape. Now completely under Jack's control, Jack offered the devil his freedom if he promised never to take his soul to hell. The devil reluctantly agreed.
turn into a silver coin and simply resume his normal form after paying. The devil was impressed by Jack's deception and promptly transformed himself into the coin. But instead of paying, Jack put the coin in his jacket pocket, where he also a crucifix He preserved the information, which prevented the devil from changing his form. Now completely in control, Jack offered the devil his freedom if he would promise never to take his soul to hell. The devil reluctantly agreed.
His life as a drunkard didn't last long
Jack was thus doomed to wander the earth forever as a restless spirit. As if to mock him, the devil gave him a single spark, trapped inside a hollowed-out turnip to protect it from the elements, which he could use to light his way – the origin of the fruit lantern tradition.
Jack died, but when he found himself before the gates of Heaven, St. Peter refused him entry because of his sinful lifestyle. Jack then sought admission to Hell, but the Devil kept his word and denied him entry as well. Jack was thus condemned to wander the earth as a restless spirit for eternity. As if to add insult to injury, the Devil gave him a single spark, protected from the elements by a hollowed-out turnip, with which he could light his way – the origin of the fruit lantern tradition.
The legend and tradition of the carving eventually came about with the Irish immigrants into the new world, and so the modern pumpkin lantern soon became established under the name "Jack-o'-Lantern" . Since then, carving has almost become a sport in its own right, with numerous world records, such as the most carved pumpkins in one hour (109) and the fastest carving of a pumpkin (16.47 seconds).
Why not try it yourself? And for those who urgently need to wash their hands after a hard day's work, we recommend the brand new hand soap with a delicious pumpkin scent from Stonewall Kitchen:
By the way: Theoretically, you can eat your Halloween pumpkin after displaying it for one night, since, as mentioned, every part of the plant is edible. However, carved pumpkins are often different varieties than... Sugar pumpkins were used for cooking , which are usually smaller and significantly sweeter in taste than their large, bland cousins.
