Now We're Cooking with Pumpkins

"The pumpkin lies yellow, beneath the cold skies, it’s luscious and mellow, and ready for pies." - Walt Mason

Did you know National Pumpkin Day is October 26th? This annual event celebrates a member of the gourd family that is considered a fruit. Pumpkins were first found in Central America and Mexico, but are now grown on six of the seven continents. Can you guess the continent where they don't grow? If you guessed Antarctica, you are right!

The pumpkin name comes from the Greek word Pepon, which means large melon. And, boy do some of them grow large – as of October 2021, the world’s largest pumpkin recorded weighed in at 2,703 pounds in Italy (grown by Stefano Cutrupi). In terms of variety, there are over 95 different types, with many different shapes, sizes, and colors including orange, white, gray, green, yellow, red and tan. Pumpkins like long, warm summers, full sun and well-drained soil. There are also about 500 seeds in an average pumpkin. The seeds are edible, but did you know that every part of the pumpkin is edible?

Some fun activities with pumpkins include painting, making jack-o-lanterns (the name of which dates back to Stingy Jack’s Irish myth from 1837), pumpkin chucking (hurling them with a machine, sometimes thousands of feet), and of course, cooking or baking with pumpkin. 

Here are some library books to check out.

Extreme Pumpkins by Tom Nardone

“Based on his popular and addictive website ExtremePumpkins.com, Tom Nardone has created a full-color guide to pumpkin carving that's truly frightening. Featuring the website's signature Puking Pumpkin, and spanning everything from Drowning Pumpkin, Crime Scene Pumpkin, and Cannibal Pumpkin to Electrocuted Pumpkin and other never-before-seen designs, this gleefully gory guide is nothing short of a manifesto to take back Halloween from the cheerful, the cutesy, and the parent-sanctioned. For the egg-throwing, toilet tissue- streaming, window-soaping teenager in all of us.”— Provided by publisher

Country Living Spooky & Bright 101 Halloween Ideas

“To make your holiday marvelously macabre, Country Living has a collection of 125 creepily cool ways to create meaningful memories for family and friends. With ghoulish delight, Spooky & Bright revels in Halloween's magic and mystery with to-die-for pumpkin displays, blood-chilling haunted houses, sinfully sweet treats (like spider-web cupcakes), hair-raising party and trick-or-treat suggestions, and decorating tips with a dark sense of humor. You'll go batty over every devilishly delightful idea!” — Provided by publisher

These four eBooks can be checked out without even leaving your house through hoopla.

The Pumpkin Cookbook by DeeDee Stovel

“From Currant-Pumpkin-Oat Scones to Chicken-Pumpkin Tacos, Pumpkin-Filled Ravioli with Fried Sage, Ginger-Pumpkin Ice Cream, and of course (seven!) pies, this comprehensive cookbook reminds us that the iconic symbol of fall is so much more than jack-o'-lantern material. These 139 recipes offer diverse and delicious options for enjoying pumpkin and other winter squash, such as butternut, acorn, and kabocha, year-round. With recipes for many forms of pumpkin, including both fresh and canned pumpkin puree, and inspired by world cuisines, the versatility of this superfood shines through in snacks, drinks, salads, soups, main dishes, and desserts.” — Provided by publisher

The Great Big Pumpkin Cookbook by Maggie Michalczyk

“Pumpkin is not just for pie! With help from Maggie Michalczyk, registered dietitian and creator of the popular Once Upon a Pumpkin blog, you can discover brand-new ways to use your pumpkin, whether fresh or canned. From snacks and side dishes to breakfast, dinner, and dessert, you'll never get tired of the creative ways to use your pumpkin! These fantastic recipes are not only delicious but feature paleo-friendly, vegetarian, and gluten- and dairy-free options!” — Provided by publisher

The Perfect Pumpkin by Gail Damerow

“The big orange pumpkin is no longer just for Halloween! Gail Damerow shows you how to cultivate more than 95 varieties of pumpkin, and provides recipes for pumpkin pies, muffins, and even pumpkin beer. You'll also learn how to use pumpkins in a variety of craft projects, from carving unique jack-o'-lanterns to creating pumpkin-scented creams and soaps. With tips on growing giant pumpkins, preserving your harvest through the winter, and much more, The Perfect Pumpkin will delight pumpkin lovers of all sensibilities.” — Provided by publisher

Pumpkin It Up! By Eliza Cross

“There's more to pumpkin than lattes and pies, so Pumpkin It Up! is here to help you discover sweet and savory ways to pumpkin up every meal. With both traditional favorites and unexpected twists, these 75 recipes will please pumpkin eaters--and let you savor the taste of fall year-round. Includes photos plus shopping and prep tips.” — Provided by publisher

- by Jodi Frederick, Hopewell Branch