Happy National Pumpkin Day! Today recognizes a favored autumn decoration and food on October 26.
Not only do they make great fall decorations, but the pumpkin also completes a variety of tasty recipes.
Join a pumpkin competition or visit any of the many fall festivals featuring the beautiful gourds.
By October 26, we’re in a frenzy of pumpkin obsession. We cannot wait for the big November holiday for pumpkin pie. No siree, we need pumpkin everything!
Bars, cookies, coffee, cheesecake, pasta, and oatmeal. Pumpkin Chunkin’, pumpkin patches, festivals, bake-offs, and television specials.
Let’s not forget jack-o-lantern carving as well! This fruit grabs American’s attention.
As it should be. This squash is native to North America. The oldest evidence of pumpkin-related seeds dates back to somewhere between 7000 and 5500 B.C. to seeds found in Mexico.
The word pumpkin originates from the word "pepon", which means “large melon” in Greek.
Within recent years, white pumpkins have become more popular in the United States. The United States produces 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins, with Illinois producing more than any other state.
A 2,145-pound pumping from Streator, Illinois holds the current North American record!
Grown by Gene McMullen in 2015, the great pumpkin weighed in a few hundred pounds lighter than the current world record pumpkin from 2014.
At 2,323-pounds, the giant pumpkin from Switzerland retains the world record prize.
Two years later, Belgian Mathias Willemijns grew a pumpkin of proportions not seen until that same year of 2016. The Belgian man had set a world record with a gargantuan gourd that weighed 2,624.6 pounds!
Willemijns had claimed the record on October 9 at the Giant Pumpkin European Championship in Ludwigsburg, Germany. However, Guinness World Records™ has yet to confirm it.
Canned pumpkin may be recommended by veterinarians as a dietary supplement for dogs and cats that are experiencing certain digestive ailments.
Raw pumpkin can be fed to poultry as a supplement to their regular feed during the winter months to help maintain egg production.
Pumpkins are packed with nutrients, but they’re not only good for humans. Did you know that pumpkin may be recommended by veterinarians as a dietary supplement for dogs and cats?
Since pumpkin is easy to digest, if your pet is experiencing certain digestive ailments, don’t be surprised if your vet says to give them pumpkin purée.
Poultry also benefit from eating raw pumpkin as a supplement to their regular feed during the winter months to help maintain egg production.
As a seasonal food, it sure comes at the right time of year. Since it’s packed with vitamin C, it can boost your immune system to fight off those nasty colds, too.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Ah, pumpkins! They bring to mind wonderful memories and inspire us to artistry.
Whether we frame the perfect photo at the local pumpkin patch, carve up the scariest jack-o-lantern or whip up the tastiest batch of pumpkin bars, this is a holiday worth sharing. Roast some pumpkin seeds while the family rakes up those fall leaves.
Pour a mug of hot apple cider and bake up your favorite pumpkin recipes, too. Or try a new one. We offer several for you to try! As always, invite someone to Celebrate Every Day® with you as well.
Use #NationalPumpkinDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this garden squash related holiday.
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