Pumpkin - Yummmm

++   The Jack-O-Lanterns are gone and pumpkin pie is coming.  What else are pumpkins good for?

Cooking:  Use pumpkin as you would acorn and other winter varieties of squash - in soups, curries, vegetarian lasagna, as a roasted vegetable, added to a smoothie etc.  Toast the seeds with honey and chili powder or cinnamon.

Health:  Pumpkin seed tea was once used to cure parasites.  Now, we generally use them for health benefits relating to nutrition.  The flesh is a great, low calorie, source of carotene (and vitamin A) and a good source of fiber, and B-vitamins; it also has some minerals and vitamin C.  The seeds are rich in mono-unsaturated (heart-healthy) fats, minerals, and protein.  

History:  Pumpkins are in the same botanical family as other squash, and also gourds and cucumbers.  Their seeds have been found in Mexican archaeological sites dating back over 8,000 years, and they spread from there.  Researchers believe that at first only the seeds were eaten and the rest was used as bowls or cups because the flesh was more bitter than in current varieties.  Later, other uses were found -- I'm glad!  Aren't you?