Pumpkins are native North American vegetables that are associated closely with Halloween. Pumpkins are used to make Jack 'o' Lanterns as well as tasty Halloween treats like Pumpkin Soup and Pumpkin Cake to name but a few.
Given the size of most pumpkin the thought of peeling them can be a bit daunting, but if you follow these simple steps then peeling a Pumpkin is rather easy.
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The pumpkin, a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, has a rich and varied history that dates back thousands of years.
Originating in Central America, archaeological evidence suggests that pumpkins were cultivated by indigenous peoples as early as 7,500 B.C.
These early varieties were small and hard, differing significantly from the large, orange pumpkins commonly associated with autumn today.
As European explorers arrived in the Americas, they encountered this versatile gourd and brought it back to Europe, where it was integrated into local cuisines and agricultural practices.
Over time, selective breeding led to the development of larger and sweeter varieties, which became popular not only for culinary uses but also for decorative purposes, particularly during the fall season.
The tradition of carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, which originated from an Irish custom of hollowing out turnips, was adapted in America, further solidifying the pumpkin's place in cultural celebrations such as Halloween.
Today, pumpkins are celebrated not only for their aesthetic appeal and culinary versatility but also for their nutritional benefits, making them a staple in both festive and everyday cooking.
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In the UK Pumpkins were not easy to come by in the 80's , so as a child we used swede to make lanterns. Today Pumpkins are grown here in the UK as in most other countries.
The pumpkin is from the winter squash family of vegetables and in a native of North America, maybe that is why the idea of the Pumpkin being used to celebrate Halloween originated in the USA.
The Pumpkin is a large vegetable that can be hard to peel and slice. You are going to need a large sharp knife to do this.
Cuisine:American
You need to start by getting your self a Pumpkin. I have chosen a Large Pumpkin as I am going to make Pumpkin Soup out of mine, but you can use any size you like.
You will need to use a large chefs knife for this job. Slice the Pumpkin into half just to one side of the center stem so that you can get your spoon in to the seeds.
Using a large serving spoon, you will need to scoop out all of the flesh and the seeds. You can use any size spoon for this job, but a large serving spoon is best.
With all of the seeds and flesh removed from both halfs it is time to slice the halfs in half again. This is especially important if you are using a large Pumpkin, as it is a more workable size.
Cut both ends off the Pumpkin so that you can stand it up on end and it is ready to slice.
Using a large sharp knife, slice the halfs from end to end into 4 or 5 fingers so that is it ready to be peeled.
Using a hand held potato peeler you should be able to easily peel the skin from the thin slices of Pumpkin now. This is a bit like peeling a large carrot or potato.
Finally you can now dice the Pumpkin up into any size you like. I am dicing it into small pieces ready for boiling to make a delicious Pumpkin Soup.
