Pumpkin is a winter pumpkin variety. It has soft, slightly ribbed skin and is mostly dark yellow and orange in color. Its shape is round. It has thick bark, seeds and pulp. The word pumpkin comes from the word pepon (πέπων), which means “big melon” in Greek. The French adapted this word to the pompoms, which the British turned into pumping, and then the American colonists were called pumpkins. In North America and the UK, round orange winter butter varieties, predominantly derived from Cucurbita pepo, are called pumpkins.
Although the origin of the pumpkin is thought to be related to North America, researches have found pumpkin seeds in Mexico between 7000 and 5500 BC. Pumpkin fruits are a kind of botanical fruit known as pepo. Traditional C. pepo pumpkins are usually between 3 and 8 kilograms, but the largest varieties can exceed 34 kg.
Preparations for pumpkin planting begin in autumn, but planting is done in spring. The field to be built in early autumn is plowed deep with the plow. Depending on the field, a second version can be made at the beginning of winter. It is processed with disc harrow and crowbar according to the grass condition of the field before planting in spring. The field is arranged by waiting for a day or two in terms of soil aeration, and then pulling the rake. In the fall of the pumpkin, well-qualified burnt barn manure is scattered properly in the fall, with 2-3 tons per decare. Basic fertilization is done with one of the Compound fertilizers a few days before planting in the spring. Top fertilization is applied by sprinkling around the quarries with one of the Ammonium Nitrate or urea fertilizers before the second hoe.
In order for pumpkin seeds to show normal germination, the temperature in the soil must be at least 11 – 12 ° C. For this reason, the seeds should be sown in spring after the danger of frost is removed. Sowing is necessarily made to annealed soil. Sowing depth is about 4-5 cm. When the pumpkin begins to bear its first fruits in the dry seasons and in the dry fields, 1 watering should be done 2-3 weeks after the first watering. Careful selection of the drugs used against weeds and underground pests should be used carefully, since pumpkin plant can be affected by medicines.
When the first symptoms are seen against the powdery mildew disease in pumpkin plants, it is struggled with sulfuric drugs. Medicated combat with diseases and pests in pumpkin plant is usually done in the afternoon and on a dry day. Because fertilization takes place with bees and insects, and spraying should be in a way not to harm them.
Dishes made from pumpkins are very diverse. Most parts of the pumpkin are edible, including the meaty crust, seeds, leaves and flowers. In many countries, pumpkin is a popular Halloween and Thanksgiving base. When ripe, the zucchini can be boiled, steamed or roasted. In North America, soups and mash are made from pumpkins. Usually, a pumpkin cake is made during Thanksgiving holidays. In some countries, the seeds are roasted and eaten as a snack.
In the Middle East, desserts are made from pumpkin. A dessert called “kadu ka halwa” is made from pumpkin in the Indian subcontinent; Pumpkin is cooked with butter, sugar and spices. In Guangxi Province of China, the leaves of the pumpkin plant can be cooked and consumed as cooked vegetables or soup can be made from those leaves. Small pumpkins are served in salty dishes in Japan. In traditional Argentine cuisine, it is carved out of the oven and cooked in a roast fire with various ingredients. In Myanmar, pumpkins are used in both food and desserts. In Australia and New Zealand, pumpkin is often roasted with other vegetables. In some villages of Anatolia, ingredients such as rice, pine nuts, almonds and various dried fruits are placed inside the pumpkin, and stuffed or pilaf is made. In Vietnam, pumpkins are usually cooked in pork or shrimp soups.
The story of carving the pumpkins identified with Halloween also emerges with an ancient Celtic belief. The first known Halloween celebrations are the “Samhain Festival” of the pagan Celts who lived in Britain and Northern France nearly 2000 years ago.
On the night of October 31, counted in the Celtic calendar and the last day of harvest, the wall between the living and the dead is believed, and the dead come to visit the world. For this reason, in order to scare off evil spirits, fruits such as pumpkins, radishes, citrus are carved by ugly and scary faces and candles are placed in them. Pumpkins are used because it is the easiest to find in the geography after the discovery and immigration of America and the suitability of the size. In the 7th century, Pope IV. Boniface celebrates the Day of Saints, celebrated on May 13, to November 1 to replace Samhain. The eve of the All Saints’ Day (October 31) is considered sacred, and it turns into “All Hallow’s Eve”, that is, to become Halloween.
In addition to being consumed by loving pumpkin, there are many health benefits. Among these benefits, beta carotene, which is the most effective in its content, beta carotene is the most effective source of antioxidants. In addition to being a fiber with plenty of fiber; It contains calcium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium and iron.
Pumpkin dessert can be recommended for pregnant women. However, there are issues to be considered. Since it is necessary to pay attention to the use of sugar during pregnancy, it is more beneficial to eat pumpkin dessert with sweeteners such as honey or molasses instead of sugar. Pumpkin should not cook for a long time and should not lose its nutritional value. Even 8-10 minutes of steaming will be enough. Otherwise, it will decrease the benefits. It is walnuts that the pumpkin dessert is indispensable. Dessert with plenty of walnuts will be nutritious for both you and your baby.
Pumpkin is a powerful source of vitamin A and helps protect eye health with its carotenoid named zeaxanthin. It supports the body defense by stimulating the production of white blood cells that defend the body against microbes and pathogens with the vitamin C it contains. 1 serving of Pumpkin (100 g) meets 35 percent of an individual’s daily vitamin C requirement. Pumpkin, a good source of fiber, is of great importance for both heart and gut health. Half a cup of pumpkin contains over 3 grams of fiber. Fiber consumption in high rate decreases cholesterol level and therefore in protecting heart health; It also plays a big role in reducing the risk of colon cancer by regulating intestinal motility. With increasing fiber consumption, the duration of satiety is prolonged.
It is a great supporter for your skin to shine like summer. When carotenoids, which are high in its content, are consumed with dietary oil, it causes the skin to look more lively as it causes pigmentation on the skin. By supporting collagen production with vitamin C, it helps the skin look younger. It should be remembered that Omega 3, which has numerous benefits to health, is also present in the pumpkin. It supports the improvement of bone tissue, bone development, calcium, manganese, magnesium, copper, iron and phosphorus.
Pumpkin, which is also rich in potassium, helps regulate blood pressure. Potassium; stress in the heart decreases and blood pressure decreases, as it allows the blood vessels and arteries to relax. Also potassium; It also provides regulation of fluid balance in cells and tissues. Make sure to make room for your pumpkin, which contains many vitamins such as B1, B3, B6, Pantothenic acid and minerals such as folic acid, phosphorus and iron.
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