Pumpkins
A cultivar of winter squash that is round with smooth, slightly ribbed skin, most often deep yellow to orange, pumpkins are one of the oldest domesticated plants. They are widely grown for commercial use and as food, though they are best know for being carved as jack-o'lanterns for decoration around Halloween. Pumpkin pie, a traditional part of Thanksgiving meals, is often made from commercially canned puree which is actually usually made from different kings of winter squash than the ones used for jack-o'-lanterns. Most parts of the pumpkin are edible, including the fleshy shell, the seeds, the leaves, and even the flowers. When ripe, the pumpkin can be boiled, steamed or roasted. In its native North America, pumpkins are a very important, traditional part of the autumn harvest, eaten mashed and making its way into soups and purees. The seeds are often roasted and eaten as a snack and are a good source of protein, magnesium, copper and zinc. Pumpkins that are still small and green may be eaten in the same way as summer squash like zucchini. Canned pumpkin is often recommended by veterinarians as a dietary supplement for dogs and cats that are experiencing certain digestive ailments such as constipation, diarrhea or hairballs because the high fiber content aids proper digestion. Raw pumpkin can be fed to poultry as a supplement to regular feed during the winter to help maintain egg production which usually drops off during the cold months; we have found whole pumpkins left over after the Halloween festivities make great snacks - and entertainment - for our chickens.
In the United States, the carved pumpkin was first associated with the harvest season in general, long before it became an emblem of Halloween. In 1900, an article on Thanksgiving entertaining recommended a lit jack-o'lantern as part of the festivities that encourage kids and families to join together to make their own carved decoration. Association of pumpkins with harvest time and pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving reinforce its iconic role.
Growers of giant pumpkins often compete to see whose pumpkins are the most massive. Festivals are often dedicated to the pumpkin and these competitions. Pumpkins of all sizes and colors can make beautiful decorations.
This year we were lucky enough to have several pumpkin plants started by our chickens! They started their own pumpkin patch in the middle of the backyard and there are many pumpkins growing. As they mature they will be available for sale.
Sold out for 2020
In the United States, the carved pumpkin was first associated with the harvest season in general, long before it became an emblem of Halloween. In 1900, an article on Thanksgiving entertaining recommended a lit jack-o'lantern as part of the festivities that encourage kids and families to join together to make their own carved decoration. Association of pumpkins with harvest time and pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving reinforce its iconic role.
Growers of giant pumpkins often compete to see whose pumpkins are the most massive. Festivals are often dedicated to the pumpkin and these competitions. Pumpkins of all sizes and colors can make beautiful decorations.
This year we were lucky enough to have several pumpkin plants started by our chickens! They started their own pumpkin patch in the middle of the backyard and there are many pumpkins growing. As they mature they will be available for sale.
Sold out for 2020