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Pumpkin

Pumpkins Pumpkin attached to a stalk

A pumpkin is a vegetable, most commonly orange in colour when ripe, that grows as a fruit (gourd) from a trailing vine of the genus Cucurbita (Cucurbitaceae). Cultivated in North America, continental Europe, as well as in English cottage gardens, Cucurbita varieties include Curcurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita mixta, or Cucurbita moschata — all plants native to the Western hemisphere. The pumpkin varies greatly in form, being sometimes nearly globular, but more generally oblong or ovoid in shape. The rind is smooth and very variable in colour. The larger kinds acquire a weight of 40 to 80 lb (18 to 36 kg) but smaller varieties are in vogue for garden culture. Pumpkins are a popular food, with their innards commonly eaten cooked and served in dishes such as pumpkin pie. Pumpkins are traditionally used to carve Jack-o'-lanterns for use as part of Halloween celebrations.

Pumpkins and squashes

Pumpkins on sale at a Caribbean market

The name "squash" is applied in America to this and other species of the genus Cucurbita. The name is adapted from an American Indian word (see L. H. Bailey, Cyclopaedia of American Horticulture, for a fuller account of the squashes).

Summer squashes, like pumpkins, are mostly varieties of Cucurbita pepo; if picked while immature they are eaten as summer squash or marrow, but if left to mature on the vine will form a hard fruit like winter squash. Winter squashes are either C. maxima or C. moschata, and are not eaten in immature form. The varieties of pumpkins and squashes are numerous and great variety in size and shape; it is difficult to keep them pure if various kinds are grown together, but the true squashes (C. maxima) do not hybridize with the true pumpkin (C. pepo) species. If carefully handled to avoid cracking of the skin, and kept dry and fairly warm, winter squashes may be kept for months.

Wagon full of pumpkins

Studies by the Royal Military College of Canada show promise for pumpkins and other members of the Cucurbita pepo family to be viable candidates for DDT phytoremediation. (see Scientific American, October 25, 2004)

Cultivation

Pumpkins have historically been pollinated by the native squash bee Peponapis pruinosa, but this bee has declined, probably due to pesticide sensitivity, and most commercial plantings are pollinated by honeybees today. One hive per acre (4,000 m² per hive) is recommended by the US Department of Agriculture. Gardeners with a shortage of bees, however, often have to hand pollinate.

Inadequately pollinated pumpkins usually start growing but abort before full development. Often there is an opportunistic fungus that the gardener blames for the abortion, but the solution to this problem of abortion tends to be better pollination rather than fungicide.

Placing honeybees for pumpkin pollination Mohawk Valley, NY

Pumpkins are grown today in the US more for decoration than for food, and popular contests continually lead growers to vie for the world record for the largest pumpkin ever grown. Growers have many techniques, often secretive, including hand pollination, removal from the vines of all but one pumpkin, and injection of fertilizer or even milk directly into the vines with a hypodermic needle.

Cooking

When ripe, the pumpkin can be boiled, baked and roasted, or made into various kinds of pie, alone or mixed with other fruit; while small and green it may be eaten in the same way as the vegetable marrow.

Wikibooks Cookbook has more about this subject: Pumpkin
  • Pumpkin soup
  • Pumpkin pie
  • Mashed pumpkin


Chunking

Pumpkin chunking is a competitive activity in which teams build various mechanical devices designed to throw a pumpkin as far as possible. Catapults, trebuchets, ballistas and air cannons are the most common mechanisms. Some pumpkin chunkers grow special varieties of pumpkin, which are bred and grown under special conditions intended to improve the pumpkin's chances of surviving being thrown.

Pumpkin seeds

The hulless or semi-hulless seeds of pumpkins are eaten as a snack, similar to the sunflower seed. They are a good source of essential fatty acids, potassium, and magnesium. In Latin America these are often greenish in color and known as pepitas. One of the typical pumpkin products of Austria is pumpkin seed oil.

Pumpkin trivia

  • The pumpkin is related to the cucumber.
  • The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,469 lb (666 kg). Raised by Larry Checkon from Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania in 2005, it is technically a "squash," Cucurbita maxima, and was of the public variety "Atlantic Giant," which is the "giant" variety - culminated from the simple hubbard squash by enthusiast farmers through intermittent effort since the mid 1800's.
  • Pumpkins are orange because they contain massive amounts of lutein, alpha- and beta-carotene. These nutrients turn to vitamin A in the body.
  • Using pumpkins as lanterns at Halloween is based on an ancient Celtic custom brought to America by Irish immigrants. All Hallows Eve on 31 October marked the end of the old Celtic calendar year, and on that night hollowed-out turnips, beets and rutabagas with a candle inside were placed on windowsills and porches to welcome home spirits of deceased ancestors and ward off evil spirits and a restless soul called "Stingy Jack," hence the name "Jack-o'-lantern".
  • The town of Keene, New Hampshire currently holds the world record for the most lit pumpkins in one location.
  • 90% of all pumpkins sold in the United States are used for Jack-o'-lanterns.
  • Illinois produces more pumpkins than any other state in the United States.
  • Pumpkins were among the first foods from the "New World" adopted in Europe, probably due to a European cousin: Lagenaria
  • "Pumpkin" is sometimes used as an affectionate term, often referring to one's significant other. For example: "I love you, Pumpkin!"

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One of the typical pumpkin products of Austria is pumpkin seed oil. This has led to a number of allegations:. In Latin America these are often greenish in color and known as pepitas. It is worth noting that the USDA is responsible for promoting agricultural commerce, rather than the health of American citizens. They are a good source of essential fatty acids, potassium, and magnesium. It is alleged that the research leading to the construction of the food guide pyramid was partially funded by the meat, dairy, sugar and grain industries, or that the pyramid reflects lobbying by these industries. The hulless or semi-hulless seeds of pumpkins are eaten as a snack, similar to the sunflower seed. Therefore it is thought that there might be a fundamental flaw in the guidance as implemented by public agencies such as schools, etc.

Some pumpkin chunkers grow special varieties of pumpkin, which are bred and grown under special conditions intended to improve the pumpkin's chances of surviving being thrown. The worldwide problem of obesity is increasing in the developed world as well as in developing countries. Catapults, trebuchets, ballistas and air cannons are the most common mechanisms. In general terms the food guide pyramid recommends the following intake of different food groups each day, although exact amounts of calorie intake depends on sex, age, and lifestyle:. Pumpkin chunking is a competitive activity in which teams build various mechanical devices designed to throw a pumpkin as far as possible. On April 19, 2005, the USDA released the food guide pyramid's successor, MyPyramid.
. The food guide pyramid replaced the four food groups.

When ripe, the pumpkin can be boiled, baked and roasted, or made into various kinds of pie, alone or mixed with other fruit; while small and green it may be eaten in the same way as the vegetable marrow. Released in 1992, it suggested how much of each food category one should eat each day. Growers have many techniques, often secretive, including hand pollination, removal from the vines of all but one pumpkin, and injection of fertilizer or even milk directly into the vines with a hypodermic needle. One issue that this pyramid had was that it was seen as too rigid; the new pyramid relects the idea that a diet should be shaped according to an individual's needs, and the old pyramid did not do this. Pumpkins are grown today in the US more for decoration than for food, and popular contests continually lead growers to vie for the world record for the largest pumpkin ever grown. This initial pyramid became famous throughout the world, and was, in some way, an American icon. Often there is an opportunistic fungus that the gardener blames for the abortion, but the solution to this problem of abortion tends to be better pollination rather than fungicide. The original food guiding pyramid, informally known as the food pyramid, was a nutrition guide created by the USDA.

Inadequately pollinated pumpkins usually start growing but abort before full development. HSPH. Gardeners with a shortage of bees, however, often have to hand pollinate. They include calcium and multi-vitamin supplements as well as moderate amounts of alcohol. One hive per acre (4,000 m² per hive) is recommended by the US Department of Agriculture. Harvard claims to have a more neutral view and provides some dry-to-read information about a more sensible pyramid. Pumpkins have historically been pollinated by the native squash bee Peponapis pruinosa, but this bee has declined, probably due to pesticide sensitivity, and most commercial plantings are pollinated by honeybees today.
Newest Innovations.

(see Scientific American, October 25, 2004). These websites are mainly: MyPyramid.gov and MyPyramid Tracker. Studies by the Royal Military College of Canada show promise for pumpkins and other members of the Cucurbita pepo family to be viable candidates for DDT phytoremediation. In 2005, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a completely new pyramid on its websites, featuring the newest technology, like individualized plans and statistical tools on their interactive system. If carefully handled to avoid cracking of the skin, and kept dry and fairly warm, winter squashes may be kept for months. . pepo) species. At that same time, some oils are now seen as essential parts of the diet, but the difference is not reflected in the pyramid (see essential fatty acid).

maxima) do not hybridize with the true pumpkin (C. Many people claim that sweets and most oils and fats are entirely unnecessary and have no place in the pyramid. The varieties of pumpkins and squashes are numerous and great variety in size and shape; it is difficult to keep them pure if various kinds are grown together, but the true squashes (C. These foods are placed in the largest box in the pyramid. moschata, and are not eaten in immature form. Others feel that high-glycemic carbohydrate foods such as potatoes, pasta and grains receive too much emphasis. maxima or C. This has caused some nutritionists to suggest following a vegan diet, or at least a diet with reduced quantities of meat and dairy produce.

Winter squashes are either C. Some feel that this biased the research towards including higher amounts of meat and dairy produce in the food pyramid than are actually healthy, and that modern nutritional research suggests that the amounts of meat and dairy produce suggested is too high. Summer squashes, like pumpkins, are mostly varieties of Cucurbita pepo; if picked while immature they are eaten as summer squash or marrow, but if left to mature on the vine will form a hard fruit like winter squash. This foods needs to be eaten once or twice, or as said—sparingly. Bailey, Cyclopaedia of American Horticulture, for a fuller account of the squashes). The top of the pyramid (sweets, fats, and oils, to be used sparingly) contains foods that are very high in energy (fats and oils) or release their energy very quickly (sweets). H. Nuts and beans are high in fiber, but nuts also have a high fat content.

The name is adapted from an American Indian word (see L. Dairy products are high in calcium. The name "squash" is applied in America to this and other species of the genus Cucurbita. They also provide energy and some vitamins. . The third layer (animal products, nuts, and beans) contains high-protein foods. Pumpkins are traditionally used to carve Jack-o'-lanterns for use as part of Halloween celebrations. The second layer (fruit and vegetables) contains food that are high in vitamins and fiber, also providing some energy.

Pumpkins are a popular food, with their innards commonly eaten cooked and served in dishes such as pumpkin pie. It may also contribute significant quantities of vitamins and fiber, especially if whole grains are used. The larger kinds acquire a weight of 40 to 80 lb (18 to 36 kg) but smaller varieties are in vogue for garden culture. The largest, bottom layer (grains) provides mainly energy (calories or joules) in the form of complex carbohydrates. The rind is smooth and very variable in colour. sparing use of fats, oils, and sweets; or can be 2-4 times in two months. The pumpkin varies greatly in form, being sometimes nearly globular, but more generally oblong or ovoid in shape. 2-3 servings of dairy products including cheese and yogurt every other day;.

Cultivated in North America, continental Europe, as well as in English cottage gardens, Cucurbita varieties include Curcurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita mixta, or Cucurbita moschata — all plants native to the Western hemisphere. 2-3 servings of meat, fish, eggs, nuts, or beans a day;. A pumpkin is a vegetable, most commonly orange in colour when ripe, that grows as a fruit (gourd) from a trailing vine of the genus Cucurbita (Cucurbitaceae). 2-4 servings of fruits a day;. For example: "I love you, Pumpkin!". 3-5 servings a day of vegetables, especially green, leafy vegetables;. "Pumpkin" is sometimes used as an affectionate term, often referring to one's significant other. 6-11 servings a day of grain foods including rice, bread, cereals, and pasta;.

Pumpkins were among the first foods from the "New World" adopted in Europe, probably due to a European cousin: Lagenaria. Introductory Video. Illinois produces more pumpkins than any other state in the United States. See graphical statistics over time and improve your nutrition. 90% of all pumpkins sold in the United States are used for Jack-o'-lanterns. mypyramidtracker.gov tracker: Track what you eat. The town of Keene, New Hampshire currently holds the world record for the most lit pumpkins in one location. The extensive Literature.

All Hallows Eve on 31 October marked the end of the old Celtic calendar year, and on that night hollowed-out turnips, beets and rutabagas with a candle inside were placed on windowsills and porches to welcome home spirits of deceased ancestors and ward off evil spirits and a restless soul called "Stingy Jack," hence the name "Jack-o'-lantern". It includes a new symbol: "Physical Activity" (The person on the stairs). Using pumpkins as lanterns at Halloween is based on an ancient Celtic custom brought to America by Irish immigrants. Measuring quantities in cups instead of serving size. These nutrients turn to vitamin A in the body. Pumpkins are orange because they contain massive amounts of lutein, alpha- and beta-carotene.

Raised by Larry Checkon from Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania in 2005, it is technically a "squash," Cucurbita maxima, and was of the public variety "Atlantic Giant," which is the "giant" variety - culminated from the simple hubbard squash by enthusiast farmers through intermittent effort since the mid 1800's. The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,469 lb (666 kg). The pumpkin is related to the cucumber. Mashed pumpkin.

Pumpkin pie. Pumpkin soup.