October 26, 2016 - National Pumpkin Day

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: NOT SURE YET

16 Fun Facts About Pumpkins

Hello Hello!!

Today is a very special day - it's National Pumpkin Day!! But, more about that in a few.

I was originally supposed to have breakfast with my sissy today to celebrate both of our birthdays.  But, we were, unfortunately, forced to switch it to Friday morning due to some scheduling conflicts on her end.

However, I do have a fun evening on the agenda with a wine tasting with a girlfriend.

I'll be sure to tell you all about that on Foodie Friday.

Now - down to some pumpkin talk...

I was thrilled to know that today is National Pumpkin Day since one of my favorite culinary ingredients is pumpkin - both sweet and savory preparations!

So, you may be wondering - How does one celebrate this "holiday?"
Well, in a multitude of ways! 

People across the nation enjoy cake, pie, cookies, bars, pudding, coffee, smoothies, candy, breads. muffins, soups, cheesecake, oatmeal, lasagna and more, all made with delicious pumpkin.

Last week, Tanya and I got a jump on the whole Pumpkin excitement and talked about 
Pumpkin Eats - Vegan and Non-Vegan - Best in NYC AND Around the World

Today, let's delve in and find out more about this cute, round, iconic vegetable...

16 FUN FACTS ABOUT PUMPKINS

1. The Pumpkin is a member of the Cucurbita family which includes squash and cucumbers. and is native to  North America.

2. The oldest evidence of pumpkin-related seeds dates back to somewhere between 7000 and 5500 BC to seeds found in Mexico.

3. The word pumpkin originates from the word pepon, which means “large melon” in Greek.

4. Pumpkins are usually orange but can sometimes be yellow, white, green or red.

5. Pumpkins have thick shells which contain pulp and seeds.

6. Within recent years, white pumpkins have become more popular in the United States.

7. The United States produces 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins annually.

8. Illinois produces more pumpkins than any other state in the U.S.

9. A 2,145-pound pumping from Streator, Illinois holds the current North American record.  Grown by Gene McMullen in 2015, the great pumpkin weighed in a few hundred pounds lighter than the current world record pumpkin from 2014.  

10. The world record prize for the largest pumpkin is 2,323-pounds, and hailed from Switzerland.

11. The largest pumpkin pie ever made was over five feet in diameter and weighed over 350 pounds. It used 80 pounds of cooked pumpkin, 36 pounds of sugar, 12 dozen eggs and took six hours to bake.

12. Six of the seven continents can grow pumpkins including Alaska! Antarctica is the only continent that they won't grow in.

13. Canned pumpkin may be recommended by veterinarians as a dietary supplement for dogs and cats that are experiencing certain digestive ailments.

14. Raw pumpkin can be fed to poultry as a supplement to their regular feed during the winter months to help maintain egg production.

​15. Native Americans called pumpkins "isqoutm squash."

16. Native Americans used pumpkin seeds for food and medicine.


​With today also being Hump day and W2GW (where to go Wednesday), I got to wondering where the best Pumpkin Patches were throughout the country.

And low and behold, I was clearly not the only one who had this query.  Alyssa Ochs of tripstodiscover.com, named 12 of the nation's best "Patch o' Pumpkins" in her article, 12 of the USA’s Best Pumpkin Patches to Visit This Fall.

From the Great Pumpkin Patch in Arthur, Illinois to Roloff Farms in Hillsboro, Oregon back east to Uncle Bill’s Farm in Grinnell, Iowa and south to Georgia to Yahoo Farm in Jasper, the nation has pumpkin fever!

I strongly encourage you to click on the above link to read all about these amazing places.  

Perhaps the two sited in Ms. Ochs' article that are the closest to Long Island include:

The Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence, New York and Roba Family Farm in Dalton, Pennsylvania.

Of course, me and the girls are lucky enough to have a few local pumpkin stands nearby out near the barn in Manorville, which we'll be stopping by to get our very own pumpkins this weekend!

Well, I hope you enjoy some great pumpkin eats today.

As for me, I'll be enjoying a Pumpkin Spice Latte with a Pumpkin Scone later this morning!!

See ya back here tomorrow!

-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 9 DAYS

Questions I have about Pumpkins...

HIYA :)

I'm back home now. At least for a few days.
​
What a fab trip! I know I know, you must hear me say that about many of them. 

My Halloween costume got here yesterday, mine was the last one arrive. And we are now all set to have some dress up fun this weekend and on Halloween!

Dominic is going as some Master Chief Halo Guy - I have no clue - it's a character from a video game.

Cosette is going as a Beer Garden Girl.

And as for Dave and myself...

Any guesses?

He is dressing in Lederhosen, and I am also going as a Oktoberfest Beer Garden Girl! 

Although for our costume party on Saturday, we are all donning costumes from the closet. Dominic is going as Capitan America, Cosette as Wonder Woman and well Dave and I still have to decide.

But after you see the TBT pics I have planned for tomorrow then maybe you can help us decide!

Thanks to Elisa for sharing with us that today is National Pumpkin Day!

Who knew that even Pumpkins have a holiday?!

Elisa has even composed a list of 16 FUN FACTS ABOUT PUMPKINS.
​

Pumpkin Patch (c)travelincousins.com

So I got to wondering a few questions:

I was curious just how many pumpkins get sold every year?

And according to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, nearly 12.4 million cwt, or hundredweight, of pumpkins were harvested in the United States in 2012. Most were sold for processing, though a small amount were sold in local markets and pick-your-own farms, bringing the estimated value of the market to $148.9 million. 

Choosing a pumpkin (c)travelincousins.com

How many of these sold pumpkins get use for Halloween?

It is said that 99 percent of pumpkins sold are used to carve Jack-O'-Lanterns for Halloween!

Master carving skills (c)travelincousins.com

Where do the most pumpkins grow?

In Morton, Illinois.

The self-proclaimed Pumpkin Capital of the World is located about 10 miles from Peoria, Illinois. The plant processes and cans over 85 percent of the world's pumpkins each year.

This is where Libby's pumpkin processing plant is located. Being owned and operated by the oh so  EVIL Nestle Food Company.

​*Since I boycott all things Nestle. You can bet your bottom dollar that I will be avoiding Libby's too.

​And finally what does a pumpkin have to do with Halloween?

Believe it or not, turnips were used for Jack-o'-Lanterns before pumpkins. The tradition of the Jack-o'-Lantern came from Europe to the US, pumpkins were more readily available than turnips and were larger, allowing for easier carving.
​That's why the good ol' pumpkin is used today.

Anyhow I bet your knowledge about pumpkins has skyrocketed from the time you started reading the daily until now. Who knew?!

As far as today goes, I've got some routine to catch up with and that includes filling the fridge and cabinets. So I'll be off shopping and I should be able to also hit the gym while I'm out there. Dominic has class later tonight and of course I've got din din to prepare.

I hope you have a great day and get your pumpkin on!

See y'all tomorrow,
​-T