In the United States and many other parts of the world, gourd-like orange fruits hollowed and carved out with ghoulish faces and illuminated by small candles are a sure sign of the Halloween season.
The practice of decorating pumpkins originated in Ireland. Irish folks initially used turnips to celebrate Jack O’Lantern on Halloween’s Eve. However, when they emigrated to America during the famine years of 1845-50, they couldn’t find any turnip. Instead, they discovered a local plant that grew in abundance and produced enormous round fruits. The pumpkin, which not only looked like a head but was easily hollowed out, has since replaced the turnip.
According to an oft-repeated tale, the jack-o’-lantern took its name from a roguish Irishman known as Stingy Jack, who tricked the Devil into guaranteeing that he would be spared going to hell for his many and various sins.
On both Hallowmas (All Saints Day, Nov 1) and All Souls Day (Nov 2), Catholic children would carry turnip lanterns while going door-to-door begging for soul cakes to commemorate the dead. The carved Halloween pumpkin celebrates the memory of lost souls and the scary faces on them were traditionally intended to ward off evil spirits.
It wasn’t until Irish immigrants brought the custom of carving jack-o’-lanterns to North America that the more commonly available (and easier to carve) pumpkin came to be used for that purpose, and not until the mid-to-late 19th century that pumpkin carving was an established Halloween tradition.
As pumpkin carving grew into a multi-million dollar industry, American farmers began to examine the specific types of pumpkins they grew, and bred new lines of squash specifically for carving.
Besides being used merely for decoration, pumpkin is rich in vitamins and minerals but low in calories. The potassium contained within pumpkins can have a positive effect on blood pressure and the antioxidant content of pumpkins could help prevent degenerative damage to the eyes. Moreover, pumpkins are a great source of fibre. The recommended daily fiber intake of is between 25 and 30 g. Fibre is known to retard the rate of sugar absorption into the blood, as well as promote regular bowel movements and smooth digestion.
Pumpkin seeds are a great source of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Instead of disposing them and only consuming the flesh, they can actually be dried and salted for a homemade snack or saved to plant in your garden. They contain the amino acid tryptophan, which, once reaches the brain, converts into GABA – a nutrient which calms the nerves and improves sleep. This is because tryptophan helps the body create serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitter that helps you relax and unwind.
