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pumpkinpatch.jpgLast Friday I hosted my annual pumpkin carving party. This year, in addition to all of the carving, I had a pumpkin recipe contest. Look for delicious pumpkin recipes from all of the entries this week. In the meantime, check out these fun pumpkin facts we found. Bet you never knew that…

10. A pumpkin is really a squash!

Yup, it’s a member of the Cucurbita family, which includes squash and cucumbers.

9. Pumpkins grow in six out of seven continents.

Six of the seven continents can grow pumpkins. Antarctica is the only continent where they won’t grow.

8. The name pumpkin originated from “pepon”, the Greek word for “large melon.”

7. There is a Pumpkin Capital of the World.

That’s right, the “pumpkin capital” of the world is Morton, Illinois. This self-proclaimed pumpkin capital is where you’ll find the home of the Libby Corporation’s pumpkin industry. Ninety-95% of the country’s pumpkins are found in Illinois.

6. Turnips were Jack O’ Lanterns before pumpkins.

The Irish brought the tradition of pumpkin carving to America, which started with the carving of turnips. When the Irish immigrated to the Unite States, they found pumpkins a plenty and they were much easier to carve for their ancient holiday.

5. Pumpkins are 90% water!

4. Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles.

3. Maybe Cinderella’s coach really was a pumpkin?

The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,140 pounds.

2. Pumpkins are a great source for potassium and Vitamin A.

1. There once was a 350-lb pumpkin pie!

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

The Final Dish: Now that you have a pumpkin head full of trivia impress your friends and family with all of your pumpkin knowledge. Happy Halloween!

About the Author

Mary Bigham, the creator of wcdish, is a self-admitted sushi and travel addict. She has a crush on just about every food but refuses to eat American cheese.

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