Pumpkin or Pepon?

Pumpkins are believed to have originated in North America but seeds have been found in Mexico dating 7000 BC. We call them pumpkins but in Mexico they are called pepons.

In history of the pumpkin, they state: "References to pumpkins date back many centuries. The name pumpkin originated from the Greek word for "large melon" which is "pepon." "Pepon" was changed by the French into "pompon." The English changed "pompon" to "Pumpion." American colonists changed "pumpion" into "pumpkin."

Native Americans realized that pumpkins was a food rich in fiber and nutrients that sustained them during the long and cold Winter. They introduced the orange globe like melon to the Settlers who used them in a wide variety of recipes from desserts to stews and soups. They believed that they could make healing potions from the seeds that cured ills.

Source: The History Channel provides us with fun facts about pumpkins that will win gasps at any party and make you a trivia champion. Yes, more useless information but it's fun to see if you can challenge your friends and see if they know the answers. You might even want to wager a drink or two on the results of the trivia questions. Here are some from facts:

Fun Facts About The Pumpkin!

· Pumpkins are a member of the Cucurbita family which includes squash and cucumbers.

· Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A.

· Pumpkin flowers are edible.

· The largest pumpkin pie was over five feet in diameter and weighed over 350 pounds. It used

80 pounds of cooked pumpkin, 36 pounds of sugar, 12 dozen eggs and took six hours to bake.

· In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling.

· Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing snake bites.

· The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,140 pounds.

· The Connecticut field variety is the traditional American pumpkin.

· Pumpkins are 90 percent water.

· Eighty percent of the pumpkin supply in the United States is available in October.

· Native Americans flattened strips of pumpkins, dried them and made mats.

· Native Americans called pumpkins "isqoutm squash."

· Native Americans used pumpkin seeds for food and medicine

One more fun fact, this one is my favorite...

A pumpkin in a dream is a symbol of prosperity and well-being, as well as motherhood. Despite the fact that in most cases a pumpkin in the dream is a good omen, there are also bad dreams with this vegetable. If you dreamed of a big or huge pumpkin, it can mean two things. The first interpretation of such dream gives such explanation: you will gain weight or overeat, or may also be poisoned. The second meaning says that you have accumulated a lot of money, which is best to spend for something useful now, buy the necessary thing for yourself.

Do you think I can explain at Weight Watchers, "No really, I had a dream about a pumpkin this week!" Let's hope for the second explanation of the pumpkin dream! I could use a shopping spree for Winter items.

I will bet you will never look at a pumpkin and not think of this fun blog. Enjoy!