30th October: Great Pumpkin Carve

Today is Great Pumpkin Carve, presumably because people will be carving their Jack O' Lanterns today in readiness for Halloween tomorrow. Here are 10 things you might not know about pumpkins:

1. The word pumpkin originates from the word pepon, which is Greek for “large melon". The French adapted this word to pompon, the British changed it to pumpion, which eventually evolved into the word we use today. The first written reference to the word "pumpkin" is actually in the original version of the fairytale Cinderella.
2. Pumpkins are part of the Cucurbita family which also includes squash, Cucumbers, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, watermelons and zucchini.
3. A pumpkin typically has about 500 seeds. The seeds are edible and can be roasted to make a tasty snack. Another word for pumpkin seeds is pepitas.
4. The flowers of the pumpkin plant are edible, too. In some parts of the US, they not only use them to garnish dishes but cover them in batter and deep fry them.
5. Pumpkins are native to North America, but now are grown all over the world. The only continent where pumpkins are not grown is Antarctica.
6. A common use for pumpkins is carving them into Jack o' Lanterns. This very old tradition originated in Britain and Ireland, where Turnips, Potatoes and beets were used. Emigrants took their customs to the New World with them, and when they got there, started using pumpkins because they were much easier to carve.
7. The origin of Jack o' Lanterns goes back to an old folk tale about a drunken con man called Stingy Jack. The devil came to claim Jack's soul, and Jack asked for a last drink before going to hell. Satan granted the request, took him to the pub where he drank a lot of beer, and at the end of the night, convinced Satan to turn himself into a coin to pay for the drinks. When Satan did so, Jack put the coin in his pocket, where there was also a crucifix, which meant Satan was stuck in the form of a coin until he could strike a deal with Jack that he wouldn't carry him off to hell for ten years. When the ten years was up, Satan returned and again Jack hoodwinked him, by asking for an Apple. When Satan climbed the tree to get him one, Jack placed crucifixes all around the trunk, so Satan was stuck up the tree and Satan had to agree never to take his soul to hell before Jack would set him free. When Jack eventually died, he was refused admission into Heaven because of his sinful life, but because of the deal with Satan, he couldn't get into hell, either. So he is doomed to wander the earth for all eternity with just a hollowed out turnip with an ember in it to light his way.
8. The world's largest pumpkin was more than five feet in diameter and weighed over 1,800 pounds. It was presented in Minnesota in October 2010. The largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 pounds.
9. Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing Snake bites.
10. Pumpkin juice is a favourite drink of Harry Potter and his friends.