National Pumpkin Seed Day
In many places, the fall weather this month signals the time for harvesting of crops. And it’s a special treat when those crops include pumpkins!
Not only are the pumpkins themselves delicious and nutritious, but each pumpkin typically also contains a large collection of seeds that can be eaten and enjoyed.
National Pumpkin Seed Day celebrates this tasty and healthy little snack!
History of National Pumpkin Seed Day
For centuries, pumpkin seeds have been appreciated for their nutritional values, particularly in ancient native cultures such as Aztecs and Mayans.
A highly nutritious plant-based food, pumpkin seeds offer tons of protein, vitamins, minerals and other substances with nutritional value.
Now, National Pumpkin Seed Day offers the ideal opportunity to enjoy and appreciate everything to do with this small but mighty food.
How to Celebrate National Pumpkin Seed Day
Get on board with enjoying and celebrating National Pumpkin Seed Day with some of these fun ideas:
Try Eating Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds can be enjoyed in a wide variety of ways. Whether simply eating a handful of them in a basic manner, just roasted and salted, or getting a bit more creative, eating them is the perfect activity to celebrate National Pumpkin Day.
Try sprinkling pumpkin seeds on top of salads, adding them to rye to make crackers at home, put them in chocolate chunk cookies, add them to a nut mix or trail mix, use them in hummus, or put them in soups. Certainly there are many creative and delicious ways to use pumpkin seeds every day!
Roast Some Pumpkin Seeds
While pumpkin seeds can often be found in the health food section of a grocery store or at a health food store, they can also be harvested from the pumpkin and roasted at home!
When using a fresh pumpkin to make pumpkin puree for pumpkin bread or pumpkin soup, it is super easy to save the seeds and roast them in the oven with olive oil and salt.
Learn About the Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin Seeds offer a large array of nutritional benefits for the body. Chock full of fiber, healthy fats and antioxidants, pumpkin seeds are a simple and convenient way to add a health benefit to meals and snacks. In honor of National Pumpkin Day, take a look at some of these health benefits of pumpkin seeds:
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Good for Heart Health
With monounsaturated fatty acids that help to lower the bad cholesterol and magnesium that helps to regulate the blood pressure, eating pumpkin seeds regularly is an easy way to keep the heart healthy.
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A Natural Sleep Aid
Because they contain serotonin and tryptophan, pumpkin seeds work to calm the nervous system and may help with relaxation and sleep.
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Immune System Booster
Pumpkin seeds offer a healthy way to give the immune system some help due to the fact that they contain phytochemicals and antioxidants that keep the body healthy.
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Blood Sugar Level Control
With a good amount of digestible protein combined with antioxidants that decrease the oxidative stress, pumpkin seeds offer help not only to diabetics to keep their blood sugars lower, but also for those who are trying to prevent diabetes through a healthy diet.
National Pumpkin Seed Day FAQs
How did pumpkins become associated with Halloween?
The tradition of carving pumpkins for Halloween originates from ancient Celtic celebrations of Samhain, a festival that marked the end of summer and honored the deceased.
During Samhain, people carved turnips, beets, or potatoes to ward off evil spirits, placing burning coal inside for illumination.
When Irish immigrants arrived in America in the 1800s, they discovered that pumpkins, more widely available and better for carving, made ideal jack-o’-lanterns. This practice remains a Halloween staple.
What is the origin of the term “jack-o’-lantern”?
The term “jack-o’-lantern” comes from an Irish myth about Stingy Jack, a ghost doomed to roam the world with a lantern made from a carved turnip.
This legend led to the tradition of carving faces into vegetables to ward off spirits.
Are there any unique pumpkin-related festivals?
Yes, the Circleville Pumpkin Show in Ohio is a notable example. Held annually since 1903, it features parades, contests, and displays, attracting over 400,000 visitors.
What are some lesser-known uses of pumpkins in traditional medicine?
Native Americans used pumpkins to treat intestinal worms and urinary ailments. In Germany and southeastern Europe, pumpkin seeds were remedies for bladder issues and prostate problems.
How did the pumpkin pie evolve into a Thanksgiving staple?
Early American settlers made pumpkin pies by filling hollowed-out pumpkins with milk, spices, and honey, then baking them in hot ashes. This method evolved into the modern pumpkin pie we enjoy today.
What is “pumpkin chunking”?
Pumpkin chunking is a competitive activity where teams build devices like catapults or air cannons to launch pumpkins as far as possible. It’s a popular fall event in some regions.
Are there any myths or superstitions associated with pumpkins?
In some cultures, pumpkins were believed to ward off evil spirits. Carving faces into pumpkins and placing them outside homes was thought to protect inhabitants from harm.
How did pumpkins influence literature and folklore?
In the fairy tale “Cinderella,” a pumpkin is transformed into a carriage. Additionally, in some adaptations of Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” the Headless Horseman uses a pumpkin as a substitute head.
What are some unique ways pumpkins are used in cuisines around the world?
In Mexico, pumpkins are used in traditional dishes like “calabaza en tacha,” a sweet pumpkin dessert.
In some Asian cultures, pumpkins are incorporated into savory dishes and desserts, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune.
Are there any world records related to pumpkins?
Yes, the heaviest pumpkin on record weighed 2,624.6 pounds and was grown in Belgium. Additionally, the largest pumpkin pie ever made weighed 3,699 pounds and was over 20 feet in diameter.
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