Pumpkin season has arrived and now our favorite shops are filled with the aroma of pumpkin spice and all things autumn. A savory obsession that brings back memories and inspires us to create new ones. Celebrate National Pumpkin Day (October 26th) by tossing on a sweater and heading to a pumpkin patch! This is the time of the year where orange really is the new black.
History
Pumpkins originated in Central America over 7,500 years ago. After using the meaty inside to thicken stews and grind into flour, Native Americans would use the pumpkin’s hard shell to store their goods during cold winters. At the fabled Thanksgiving feast, Native Americans introduced pumpkins to the Pilgrims. Because the Pilgrims loved their flavor so much, they brought seeds back to Europe, where they quickly became popular. These orange beauties have been used for centuries as symbols of abundance, protection, and prosperity. In the 18th century, placing them on windowsills and doorsteps was very common. It was believed that carving ghoulish faces into them would help protect the home from spirits.
Nutritional Benefits
- Rich in fiber, which will help you feel fuller for longer! One cup of canned pumpkin contains seven grams of fiber.
- Low in calories – fewer than 30 calories per serving.
- Full of vitamin A, which is critical for healthy vision and a strong immune system. One cup of raw pumpkin delivers nearly double your daily vitamin A needs.
- One cup contains 2.5mg of lutein and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants have been shown to reduce the risk of chronic eye diseases.
- May protect Type-1 diabetics by helping to lower high-blood sugar. A recent Chinese study found that extract of the Asian pumpkin helped protect the pancreatic cells of type-1 diabetics from further damage.
- A good source of vitamin C for immunity.
- The seeds are rich in cancer-fighting antioxidants, minerals zinc, magnesium, copper, and phosphorus. Simply rinse them off after carving, pat dry, toss with olive oil and salt, and roast at 350°F for 20 minutes.
Make Your Own Pumpkin Puree
- Slice pumpkin in half, cover with aluminum foil
- Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour
- Scrape pumpkin meat from shell and blend in a blender. Strain to remove stringy pieces.
Get your Pumpkin On With These Recipes:
What a GOURDgeous way to celebrate the season! Not only are these fall beauties symbols of abundance but they’re one of the healthiest fall squashes you can eat.