Pumpkins
- Pumpkins are a fruit that originated in Central America.
- They contain potassium and Vitamin A and are 90% water
- Pumpkin flowers are edible.
- The name pumpkin originated from "pepon" – the Greek word for "large melon."
- In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling.
- The yellow-orange flowers that bloom from a pumpkin vine are edible. Using pumpkins as lanterns at Halloween is based on an ancient Celtic custom brought to America by European immigrants.
- Pumpkins, and their seeds, were a celebrated food of the Native American Indians who treasured them both for their dietary and medicinal properties.
- Illinois grows more pumpkins than any other state in the country. It harvests nearly 12,300 acres of fruit.
- Pumpkin seeds can be roasted as a snack.
- Pumpkins are used to make soups, pies and breads.
- Colonists sliced off pumpkin tops; removed seeds and filled the insides with milk, spices and honey. This was baked in hot ashes and is the origin of pumpkin pie.