Celebrating the Pumpkin This Month
Are you fond of all the beauty and cozy energy of the autumn season? Who doesn’t love this aesthetic of gorgeous leaves, cooler weather, cozy sweaters, and pumpkin-everything?
Pumpkins and autumn are synonymous with each other. National Pumpkin Day approaches on October 26th, so what better time to celebrate the wonders of this orange squash?
History
Mexico’s Oaxaca Highlands are home to the world’s oldest domesticated pumpkin seeds. Over 7,500 years ago, pumpkins were first discovered in Central America. There are very few similarities between the original pumpkins and the sweet, bright orange variety we are familiar with today. Original pumpkins were hard, small, and bitter. Native Americans grew pumpkins for their flesh instead of using their nutritional seeds. A variety of these crops were grown in North America as the first crops to be consumed by humans.
Decor
The pumpkin game is strong when it comes to fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving decorating. We’ve gone beyond the traditional carved Jack o’Lantern and gotten super creative and inspired by pumpkins. Check out some ideas for pumpkin decorating below:
Festivities
There are many ways to incorporate the pumpkin into your fall celebrations and traditions.
Visit a local pumpkin patch.
It’s fun for all ages at some pumpkin patches, plus it supports local businesses. Tip – It will be easier to carry your favorite pumpkins back to your car if you bring a wagon.
Host a pumpkin carving at your home or workplace.
Whether you go to a farm or the grocery, once you bring your pumpkin home you’ll want to celebrate it for the season. Pumpkin carving is a popular activity so consider inviting friends and family over to do this together. Got little ones who are too young for carving tools? Grab some paint and have them paint their pumpkins instead. You could even organize a pumpkin carving contest at your place of business or in your community to increase the fun.
Participate in a Pumpkin Chunkin’ event
Punkin chunkin (rhyming with pumpkin chunking) is the sport of hurling a pumpkin for distance solely by mechanical means. There are many types of devices used, such as slingshots, catapults, centrifugals, trebuchets, and pneumatic (air) cannons.
The city of Aurora, Colorado hosts one of these events every year in October.
Food
There’s more to this fruit (yes, scientifically pumpkin is a fruit) than just pumpkin spice lattes. (Heads up, there’s actually no pumpkin in pumpkin spice flavoring) If you love pumpkin pie, here are some ways to incorporate more pumpkin options into your meals and your life.
The pumpkin has become a symbol of autumn and Halloween worldwide. In addition to symbolizing rebirth and fertility, pumpkins are also symbolic of harvests and crops. They are stables at the Thanksgiving table and are favorites of autumn season enthusiasts.
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