While Halloween falls on October 31st, National Pumpkin Day is October 26! Pumpkins are often seen as a fun fall holiday decoration and ingredient in festive recipes, but they’re so much more than that. Not only are they full of antioxidants, but they’re also loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and they make fantastic desserts!
The history of National Pumpkin Day begins with the pumpkin itself. The pumpkin is indigenous to the Western Hemisphere, with some of the oldest domesticated pumpkin seeds discovered by archaeologists in the Oaxaca highlands of Mexico. Believed to have originated in Central American over 7,500 years ago, pumpkins are thought to be among the first crops grown by humans in North America. Back then, pumpkins didn’t look much like they do now -- they were originally small, wizened little gourds, with tough exteriors and a bitter flavor. They were ideal to keep throughout the winter, as their thick flesh was easy to store throughout the colder months.
Pumpkins were eventually brought to Europe’s attention through explorers traveling to the ‘New World.’ The explorer thought to have initially brought pumpkins over is widely assumed to have been Jacques Cartier, a French explorer who navigated through parts of North America during the 1500’s. From the gourd family, pumpkins are technically related to melons like watermelons and zucchini. As a result of their slightly similar appearance to melons, they were dubbed ‘gros melons’ by Cartier, which later became the modern english word, ‘pumpkin!’
Nowadays, pumpkins are used in the United States and many other countries for all manner of things, from food to recreation. In the United States, pumpkins are used seasonally, especially during the autumn holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving. Jack-o-lanterns are a huge hit all over the U.S., dating back to the 1800’s, with the phrase first appearing in 1837. The idea to carve pumpkins up for decoration came later, around 1866.
Pumpkins have become a symbol of fall, the holidays, and the changing of seasons to so many around the globe. They’re grown all over the world now, and are a part of the way we celebrate the harvest season. However you choose to celebrate National Pumpkin Day, CARSTAR Robert's Collision & Repair in Monterey would love to be your go-to auto body shop whenever you want an excellent, honest facility to repair your vehicle. We are here for all of your auto body repairs, paint jobs, and auto detailing needs. We strive to be your one-stop auto shop and we work hard to provide you with an outstanding customer service experience! Our skilled technicians provide the best service in the region. Make your appointment today! We're located at 234 Ramona Ave, Monterey, CA. 93940. We look forward to your visit!