Pumpkin is a popular fruit, but its popularity has been largely due to its use for decoration, in Halloween season, and less of it as a fruit. However, apart from its aesthetic use, this fruit is packed with nutrition. It contains a lot of vitamins, carotenes, and minerals. It has a low amount of calories. Almost all the parts of pumpkin are important, the seeds and leaves also contain a lot of nutrition. Pumpkins are cultivated around the world for various reasons, for aesthetic purposes, and for food
USES OF PUMPKIN
1.Pumpkins are useful in cooking. Almost all the parts of pumpkin are eatable when cooked. They are also very nutritious.
- All over the world, pumpkin is the traditional poster for Halloween. You can’t have a Halloween without a pumpkin.
- It’s usually made into a stew and eaten in some countries such as in China, Japan. Etc.
- Its leaves are consumed as vegetable in countries such as Kenya, while the flowers are also made into food in Mexico
- Pumpkin seed can also be made into oil. They are rich in nutrition and contains fatty acids etc. The oil can be mixed with other types of oil and ingredients when making salads. It can also be used in making ice cream.
- Pumpkin seeds can also be eaten or cooked. They contain a good amount of protein and some other microelements such as magnesium and zinc
7.Medicinal purposes: Pumpkin has been recorded to have some medicinal potentials. It has been used by Indian Americans, for the treatment of worms, and also for urinary diseases. In addition, it was also used by doctors in America, centuries ago for the treatment of worms. This was replicated in various parts of the world such as China and Europe. They all used pumpkin for treating the same diseases. This actually reiterates the efficacy of its effects
Pumpkin Lanterns
Pumpkin is the poster for Halloween. They are usually shaped into lanterns and into other creative shapes. This is done in North America; Canada and the United States of America. This is also a practice in some parts of Europe; England and Ireland. Although initially, the carving of pumpkin was once connected to the harvest season, however in 1900, an essay suggested that a lit pumpkin lantern would bring families, especially kids together. The kids would want to make their lanterns, the adults likewise. This makes the celebration inclusive, thus making the family bond stronger. It is worthy to note that North Americans don’t buy this fruit for consumption sake, they buy them mostly during the Halloween season to carve them into lanterns.
Pumpkin Chunking
This is a game in which people divide themselves into teams. Each team would build a device. The game is modeled after discus, except that devices would be the one throwing the pumpkin and not humans. The team that throws the fruit farthest, wins the game. People invest a lot of time building these devices, and sometimes, they especially grow the pumpkin they would use for the event. The pumpkins are grown and cultivated under controlled conditions, to achieve the best possible outcome from the games.
The Giant Pumpkin Competition
There are other competitions apart from chunking. An example is the Giant pumpkins. Farmers of these type of pumpkin often participate in a game in which the person with the biggest pumpkin is rewarded with a price. These games are often associated with festivals. Some communities in America, often have Pumpkin festival, and these competitions are a major part of the event.
Pumpkin Stories
Many stories have been wound around the pumpkin. Books, fictions, and cultures have been created based on pumpkins. Some supernatural features have been attributed to pumpkin. An example is the all-time classic novel and movie; Harry Porter. The preferred drink of the students was pumpkin juice. Pumpkin has also been referenced in Spider-man.
What Makes the Pumpkin Good for You?
Pumpkin has been most popular, for its use for Halloween cultures. Many people are not aware of how beneficial it is when eaten. The entire parts of pumpkin are edible, especially when cooked. Below are some of the benefits
It contains a good quantity of minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. It also has a huge amount of vitamins. Vitamins A, B, C, and E.
- Skin: Vitamin C, a major constituent of pumpkin is good for our skin. Vitamin plays a major part in collagen formation. This collagen strengthens the skin and other tissues of the body against bruises and other forms of injury.
- Antioxidants: It contains a lot of antioxidants. Antioxidants such as Vitamin E, C, and beta-carotene helps the body in the removal of free radicals. They also reduce the risk of having some kind of cancers. In addition to this, anti-oxidants slow down aging
- Decreases the chance of having metabolic syndrome: There are studies that have suggested that eating pumpkin reduces the risk of having diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Pumpkin has a lot of carotenes (which are responsible for its orange and yellow color). Carotenes decreases the cases and progression of metabolic syndrome
- 4. Immune system: According to research, Beta-carotene boosts the body immune system. In addition, Vitamin A also improves the body immunity against diseases.
- Eyes: Vitamin A help is important in our vision. A deficiency of this vitamin would lead to night blindness. Also, this vitamin helps in cell growth. Vitamin A is often prescribed to patients suffering from cataract. Basically, it protects us from having a cataract.
- Bones: This fruit contains a good level of minerals, such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Calcium and magnesium are important for bone growth. They also play a part in the strengthening of our bones. Apart from this, calcium plays a part in the blood clotting system. Consuming calcium-containing meal such as pumpkin protects us from having calcium-related coagulation disorders
- Cardiovascular: Minerals such as potassium reduces the risk of having hypertension. Hypertension is when the arterial blood pressure exceeds the normal range.
CAN PUMPKIN PIE PACK A PUNCH?
Pumpkin pie punch is the best Halloween and Thanksgiving drink. You can mix it with drinks such as cider, and even soda. It has a distinct taste and a unique appeal, especially when you pour it into a tall glass or tumbler. The orange color also makes it a delight to look at.
The pumpkin pie punch is best made when you need to entertain a lot of people, and you require a decent cocktail to serve your guests. This punch is easy to make, and it can be made in large volumes. An ideal season to make pumpkin punch is in Autumn. Halloween and Thanksgiving fall into this season, so people would be receiving a lot of guests. Below are the ways you can make a good pumpkin pie punch and how to spice it up.
Easy Pumpkin Pie Punch
This is the simplest way to make a good pie punch, and you need just five ingredients. You’d need cider, pumpkin, some pieces of apple, some cream or milk. You can also add some vodka if kids are not going to be partaking in the feast. You should put everything in a blender, run it till everything is has mixed and blended together. Place the mixture in the fridge and leave it overnight. You can now enjoy this drink with your family and loved ones.
Health Benefits of Pumpkins and Other Squash Plants
Pumpkins are best known to represent festival and events such as Halloween and Thanksgiving. However, this squash plant has an enormous amount of nutrients when consumed. Pumkins are only edible when cooked. They contain a good quantity of minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. It also has a huge amount of vitamins. Vitamins A, B, C, and E. Below are some of the health benefits of pumpkin and squash plants;
The Magic Pumpkin is Beneficial to Your Health
- Eyes: Vitamin A help is important in our vision. A deficiency of this vitamin would lead to night blindness. Also, this vitamin helps in cell growth. Vitamin A is often prescribed to patients suffering from cataract. Basically, it protects us from having a cataract.
- Bones: This fruit contains a good level of minerals, such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Calcium and magnesium are important for bone growth. They also play a part in the strengthening of our bones. Apart from this, calcium plays a part in the blood clotting system. Consuming calcium-containing meal such as pumpkin protects us from having calcium-related coagulation disorders
- Cardiovascular: Minerals such as potassium reduces the risk of having hypertension. Hypertension is when the arterial blood pressure exceeds the normal range.
- Depressive syndrome: It also contains some amino acids that enhance our mood and feeling. An example of such amino acid is tryptophan. This amino acid boosts our mind and feelings. It reduces the risk of having any form of depressive syndrome or depression.
- Skin: Vitamin C, a major constituent of pumpkin is good for our skin. Vitamin plays a major part in collagen formation. This collagen strengthens the skin and other tissues of the body against bruises and other forms of injury.
- Antioxidants: Pumpkins contain a lot of antioxidants. Antioxidants such as Vitamin E, C, and beta-carotene help the body in the removal of free radicals. They also reduce the risk of having some kinds of cancers. In addition to this, anti-oxidants slow down aging, so that’s a win.
- Decreases the chance of having metabolic syndrome: There are studies that have suggested that eating pumpkin reduces the risk of having diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Pumpkin has a lot of carotenes (which are responsible for its orange and yellow color). Carotenes decreases the cases and progression of metabolic syndrome
- Immune system: According to research, Beta-carotene boosts the body immune system. In addition, Vitamin A also improves the body immunity against diseases.
Is Pumpkin a Vegetable or a Fruit?
Pumpkin is a fruit. According to the Oxford dictionary, pumpkin is defined as “a round and orange fruit, with smooth skin with a lot of seeds”. The large quantity of seeds inside the pumpkin confirms it as a seed. However, if you consider it from the angle of a chef, it looks more like a vegetable. A vegetable is a plant that is grown so that a part of it can be consumed as a meal. Pumpkin also fits this description. Other types of vegetables such as spinach, tomatoes, and onion are not sweet when eaten raw, but becomes really taste when cooked. This also applies to pumpkin. So I think it will be more appropriate to tag pumpkin both a fruit and a vegetable.
Top 5 Healthiest Ways to Eat Pumpkin
- Pumpkin seed can also be made into oil. They are rich in nutrition and contains fatty acids etc. The oil can be mixed with other types of oil and ingredients when making salads. It can also be used in making ice cream.
- Pumpkin seeds can also be eaten or cooked. They contain a good amount of protein and some other microelements such as magnesium and zinc
- As a cocktail or smoothie: Pumpkin can be taken as a drink or a smoothie. This is the simplest way to make a good pie punch, and you need just five ingredients. You’d need cider, pumpkin, some pieces of apple, some cream or milk. You can also add some vodka if kids are not going to be partaking in the feast. You should put everything in a blender, run it till everything is has mixed and blended together. Place the mixture in the fridge and leave it overnight. You can now enjoy this drink
- Soup: Pumpkin can be blended with other vegetables like onion and garlic to make a soup. Spices like curry can be added for taste.
- Oatmeal: Pumpkin can be sliced into your oatmeal after cooking your oats. Maple syrup and pumpkin spice should be also be added.
If you have any unusual reaction after eating pumpkin, contact the nearest doctor.
References
Ito, S. and Fujino, Y. (1975). Trigalactosyl diglyceride of pumpkin. Phytochemistry, 14(5-6), pp.1445-1447.
Juranovic, I., Breinhoelder, P. and Steffan, I. (2002). Determination of trace elements in pumpkin seed oils and pumpkin seeds by ICP-AES. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 18(1), pp.54-58.
Pumpkin Soup. (1849). Scientific American, 5(12), pp.89-89.
Rothenberg, J. (1975). The Pumpkin. boundary 2, 3(3), p.565.
Siegmund, B. and Murkovic, M. (2004). Changes in chemical composition of pumpkin seeds during the roasting process for production of pumpkin seed oil (Part 2: volatile compounds). Food Chemistry, 84(3), pp.367-374.
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