The History of Pumpkins in America

The pumpkin has become a symbol of fall celebrations throughout the country. For children, fall is not complete without a visit to the pumpkin patch and the carving of a jack-o'-lantern. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin butter, pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin soup--the list of pumpkin delights that we enjoy each fall goes on and on.

What is the history behind this fall fruit?

Pumpkins have been a part of America since the beginning. Cultivated since 3500 B.C., they are native to North America through the American Southwest, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. Called macock by Native Americans, they were held in high regard by tribes including the Iroquois and Hurons. In fact, pumpkins were a key nutritional element in the Native American diet. They were boiled or roasted for eating. Strips were dried for weaving into mats. Shells were also used as storage vessels. Pumpkins were very useful indeed!

The Native Americans introduced pumpkin to the new settlers who in turn sent pumpkins back to France and England. The name "pumpkin" actually originated from the Greek word "pepon" meaning large melon and eventually morphed to "pompon" in French and them "pompion" in Shakespearean English. Once the word made its way back across the ocean to North America, colonists morphed the word again into pumpkin.

A slice of pie

The pumpkin pie that we celebrate today may have actually originated during the pumpkin's visit to France. Frances Pierre la Varenne, a celebrated 17th century French chef, created a recipe for a pumpkin torte which may be the forerunner for today's ubiquitous fall dessert. The Pilgrims developed a recipe for a pudding-like pumpkin dessert that may also have contributed to our modern day pie. Pilgrims are said to have cut off the top of the pumpkins and removed the seeds. They would fill the pumpkins in with milk, honey and spices and then bake them in hot ash.

 Where did jack-o'-lanterns come from?

So, what is the story behind Mr. Jack-O'-Lantern? Jack-o'-lanterns spawn from an Irish myth about Stingy Jack who tricked the Devil. When Jack passed away, he was not accepted into heaven or hell. (The Devil would not accept him after his trick.) Instead, he was left to roam the Earth with only a burning coal. Jack placed the burning coal in a carved out turnip. To scare Jack away, the Irish and Scottish would carve lanterns with frightening faces from turnips or potatoes and would place them in windows or doors where he or any wandering spirit would see them. This tradition eventually made it to America with the immigrants. They soon found that pumpkins make great lanterns. Thus, our modern jack-o'-lanterns were born!

Nothing exemplifies the warmth and fun of fall more than the pumpkin. Who would think that a relatively simple looking fruit would have so much history tied to it! Enjoy this fun time of year and enjoy those pumpkins!

Sources: The Columbian: Check it out: Pumpkins carve out key place
International Business Times: Pumpkin Pie: A Thanksgiving Dessert with History
Missouri Environment and Garden: Pumpkin: A Brief History
She Knows: The History of Pumpkin Pie
History: History of the Jack O'Lantern

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