Pumpkins are mostly water...about 90%. Every part of the pumpkin is edible, including the flowers. Pumpkins are a great source of both fiber and protein. Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are delicious roasted with a bit of salt. Batter and fry the flowers or throw them fresh into a salad. Air fry strips of pumpkin skin to make chips. The shell, of course, will make a delicious pumpkin pie when you throw in all of those wonderful pumpkin spices.
The pumpkin spice blend includes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. It has a flavour and aroma that says autumn is here. Pumpkin spice is just so nice! It is used in baking, beverages, savoury cooking and snacks. This time of year you can buy lattes, muffins, cookies and cereal that use pumpkin spice.
When you purchase pumpkin spice foods you are usually not getting any actual pumpkin. Your treat has just been flavoured with the pumpkin spices. Starbucks is the only commercial business that actually puts pumpkin into their pumpkin spice lattes.
Pumpkins are also well known for the jack-o'-lanterns that they become as part of Hallowe'en celebrations. Originally, jack-o'-lanterns were made from turnips or potatoes and were supposed to scare off evil spirits. The custom came to North America with Irish immigrants who found pumpkins easier to source than turnips or potatoes.
Pumpkins are usually bright orange in colour, but you can also find white, blue, green, yellow, red, brown and striped pumpkins. Whether you are into fall décor or Hallowe'en fun, there's a pumpkin out there that's perfect for you. Pumpkin fun is for everyone!
