By: Bridget Keohane
When one thinks of fall, most likely an image with a pumpkin pops into their head…but why? Pumpkins have been around for thousands of years, yet they only seem to be under the spotlight in September, October, and November.
Photo: Bridget Keohane
According to the University of California, scientists believe pumpkins originated in North America about 9000 years ago where they served as an important part of the Native American diet.1 While pumpkins have been around for centuries, due to weather conditions they can only be cultivated properly beginning in June, which is perhaps a reason why they only thrive in the fall.
Oh my Pumpkin…Pie? You fill in the blank!
Photo: Element5 Digital on Pexels.com
Despite being restricted to a short time to spend with this seasonal crop, people have made sure to make pumpkins a fall staple that serves multiple purposes for cooking and entertaining. From savory to sweet, pumpkins have a lot to offer when it comes to food, making them a staple in the kitchen. Besides the pumpkin spice lattes that we all shamelessly order at Starbucks as soon as they make their return, there are countless other pumpkin treats that require few ingredients to make as meals throughout the day!
- Pumpkin Breakfast Options:
Looking to kick-start your day with pumpkin isn’t such a bad idea since they are known to boost immunity, promote potassium levels, and sharpen eyesight.2 Hence, trying out pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin oatmeal, or even a pumpkin smoothie in the morning is sure to get your day started off right.
- Pumpkin Lunch Options:
Lunch also offers a variety of pumpkin recipes to cozy up next to in the fall. From roasted pumpkin seeds to a more complex pumpkin ravioli or pumpkin soup, you are sure to find a pumpkin dish to satisfy your lunch needs.
- Pumpkin Dinner Options:
Popular dinner dishes with pumpkin at the center of the recipe include pumpkin chili or even creamy pumpkin pasta.
- Pumpkin Dessert Options:
Now, for those of you with sweet tooths, there are plenty of pumpkin recipes to satisfy your fall dessert cravings! Whether it be chocolate chip pumpkin cookies or pumpkin pie, the options are endless for pumpkin filled desserts.
Deck the Halls with…Pumpkin?
Photo: Brianna McAleer
Aside from indulging in them, pumpkins also serve as a crop that is great for decorating–inside and outside! Looking to spend time with friends but also get into the fall spirit? Pumpkins serve as a great canvas for painting or, most popularly, carving. Get together with some friends this season and host a little painting or carving competition!
Besides painting and carving, mini pumpkins, paired with small gourds also serve as excellent elements for a fall wreath. Grab some moss and burlap ribbon, and you’ve got yourself a DIY fall wreath!
The great thing about pumpkins is that they don’t need any treatment at all to serve as decor. Gather an assortment of pumpkins fitting for your mantel, complemented with a garland, and you can create a Pinterest-worthy fall display! Fall decor can also work outside by pairing an arrangement of pumpkins with beautiful mums.
Hopefully, by now, you’ve gained a new appreciation for pumpkins and their versatility. This fall, make sure to try out some of these ideas to get the most out of the few months we get to spend with our special orange crop!
1 Oliveira, Rosane. “10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know about Pumpkins.” University of California. 25 Oct. 2018. https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/10-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-pumpkins#:~:text=Scientists%20believe%20that%20pumpkins%20originated
2 Ellis, Rachel Reiff. “Health Benefits of Pumpkin.” WebMD, WebMD, 23 Aug. 2022, www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-pumpkin
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