PUMPKIN DAY

How fun that we celebrate the existence of pumpkin. Even though Cinderella had the right idea, I think most of the hullabaloo goes to pies and pancakes. And beer. Last week I made pumpkin ice cream. The jury is out on its success, since I doused it with bourbon and anything ladled with bourbon is bound to get a thumbs up. 

But seriously, do we need to have a national day picked out to remind us why we should love our pumpkins? YEEEES! 

Pumpkins are not just about pumpkins. Pumpkins are a reminder of Fall and pretty weather (for most of us), and the time to pick out another showstopper template for your Halloween Jack-o-Lantern. 

It’s about exploration and research to know what to do with the pumpkins that don’t have a seat on your porch. Pumpkins are nutrient dense and contain plenty of the antioxidant beta-carotene. There are some great recipes to try like pumpkin chili and did you know that canned pumpkin is not really pumpkin? It’s similar but not the same. So, now you have an excuse to MAKE puree for your pumpkin pie, and not bake it with a canned version made with its cousin, the Dickinson squash. 

AND let’s not forget pumpkin seeds. They are rich in vitamins and contain zinc, a mineral that helps the immune system fight bacteria and viruses. Ok, that’s nice to know. So, next time, you are scooping the insides of a pumpkin, don’t throw out the seeds. Clean them up, give them a five-minute boil in salted water, dry them thoroughly and bake them in the oven with a little olive oil and spices. There are lots of simple recipes out there. Pick one and give your immune system a boost. 

Happy National Pumpkin Day, everyone! There might not be a pumpkin carriage waiting for me curbside, but there is a pumpkin on my counter that I will whisk into something magical for my prince in the not too distant future.