Pumpkin Time

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Buying pumpkins and displaying them in and around one’s home in early October is common in the U.S., and Galveston is no exception.

In recent years, shopping for pumpkins at the Moody Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch has become a fun tradition for me - as well as for many others here on the island. Always, the selection is terrific. I find pumpkins of all sizes and in a variety of colors (white, bluish-green and, of course, orange).

And, the profits made from the pumpkin sales fund a number of worthwhile service projects. I like that - a lot!

This weekend, my son, Matt, is visiting from Houston, so he accompanied me on my search for the perfect pumpkins. I told him, upfront, I would really appreciate the company and an extra set of eyes. But, after we made selections, I realized I really needed him (and his muscles) to be here. The largest of the pumpkins we chose was too heavy for me to lift into the wagon provided to get our bounty to the car and, afterwards, to unload them back at The Bungalow.

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As my family knows, I have long been a fan of pumpkins; they remind me that autumn has arrived - despite the still-warm temps outdoors.

Long ago, I started studying up on pumpkins. The more I learned, the more I became a devoted fan of this versatile plant. I love, among other things, that the flowers, seeds and flesh of the pumpkin are all edible and rich in vitamins.

In October, I use pumpkins to make soups, desserts and breads and, yes, even pancakes. Admittedly, I’m not very good at baking pies, so I purchase a lot of pumpkin pies in the fall - before and for Thanksgiving!

I also purchase a lot of pumpkin-scented or pumpkin-flavored things - like candles and coffee!

In my research on pumpkins, I discovered the popular tradition of carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns originated hundreds of years ago in Ireland. Back then, however, jack-o’-lanterns were made out of turnips or potatoes; it wasn’t until Irish immigrants arrived in America and discovered the pumpkin that a new Halloween ritual was born. (Being half-Irish, I love this too!)

Pumpkin Trivia
I’ve always wanted to play Pumpkin Trivia with my family or friends at Thanksgiving. Our gatherings, however, haven’t yet provided the extra relax time to do so. But, I still hope to introduce this game to my grandkids next time we all get together. In the meantime, here’s some fun facts to remember:

• Pumpkins are a member of the gourd family (like cucumbers, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, watermelons and zucchini). They are native to Central America and Mexico. However, they now grow on six continents.
• Pumpkins have been grown in North America for 5,000 years.
• In 1584, after French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence region of North America, he reported finding “gros melons.” The name was translated into English as “pompions,” which has since evolved into the modern “pumpkin.”
• Pumpkins are low in calories, fat and sodium and high in fiber. They are good sources of Vitamin A, Vitamin B, potassium, protein and iron.
• Pumpkin seeds should be planted between the last week of May and the middle of June. They take between 90 and 120 days to grow and are picked in October when they are bright orange in color. Their seeds can be saved to grow new pumpkins the next year.