Guess what day it is? It’s Monday! Although that’s not what makes today so great.
Aside from the fact that it’s Monday and only four days away from Halloween, it’s also National Pumpkin Day!!!
And although no one has been able to locate the creator of this majestic day, we highly doubt anyone has a problem celebrating it. Seriously, what better day to enjoy a slice of Pumpkin bread and a fresh hot Pumpkin Spice Latte than on National Pumpkin Day?
So in honor of this majestic unofficial holiday, we thought it would be cool to actually give you some information about Pumpkins. We eat them all the time, but how much do you really know about the famous gourd?
So without further adieu, we give you:
25 Awesomely Amazing Facts That You Probably Didn’t Know About Pumpkins
- Pumpkins are native to North America.
- The oldest evidence of pumpkin-related seeds dates back to somewhere between 7000 and 5500 BC and were found in Mexico.
- The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,140 pounds.
- Pumpkins have thick shells which contain pulp and seeds.
- As a food, pumpkin can be baked, roasted, steamed or boiled.
- 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are produced in the United States each year.
- Pumpkins are well known for being carved into jack-o-lanterns during Halloween.
- Pumpkin plants feature both male and female flowers, with bees typically being involved in pollination (the transfer of pollen).
- Pumpkins are 90 percent water.
- Raw pumpkin can be fed to poultry as a supplement to their regular feed during the winter months to help maintain egg production.
- Native Americans flattened strips of pumpkins, dried them and made mats.
- Pumpkins vary in weight but an average sized pumpkin might weigh around 13 pounds (6 kilograms).
- Pumpkins are rich in Vitamin A, potassium, and high in fiber.
- Canned pumpkin may be recommended by veterinarians as a dietary supplement for dogs and cats that are experiencing certain digestive ailments.
- Pumpkins were originally called “isqoutm squash” by Native Americans.
- The largest pumpkin pie ever made was over five feet in diameter and weighed over 350 pounds. It used 80 pounds of cooked pumpkin, 36 pounds of sugar, 12 dozen eggs and took six hours to bake.
- Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing snake bites.
- Eighty percent of the pumpkin supply in the United States is available in October.
- The word pumpkin originates from the word pepon, which is Greek for “large melon”.
- Within recent years, white pumpkins have become more popular in the United States.
- Pumpkin flowers are edible.
- Pumpkins are currently grown on six of the seven continents, with Antarctica being the sole exception.
- Scientifically speaking, pumpkins are a fruit (they contain seeds) but when it comes to cooking, they are often referred to as vegetables.
- 100 grams of pumpkin produces around 26 calories of energy.
- In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling.
Happy National Pumpkin Day Everyone!
Sources:
http://www.pumpkin-patch.com/facts.html
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/food/pumpkins.html
The |Inside Dish.| 