Pumpkins, with their vibrant orange hue and distinctive shape, have become synonymous with autumn, Thanksgiving, and most notably, Halloween. However, their journey from an ancient food source to the symbol of a spooky holiday is as rich as the flesh inside them.
The Early Days of Pumpkins as Food
Pumpkins are believed to have originated in Central America over 7,000 years ago. They were one of the first domesticated plants, grown primarily for their flesh and seeds. The indigenous peoples of North America cultivated pumpkins along with other staple crops like beans, corn, and squash. The flesh of the pumpkin was an essential food source, as it was nutritious and could be easily stored through the winter months. Native Americans used them in stews, breads, and even desserts, and the seeds were often roasted for snacking or used for medicinal purposes.
When European settlers arrived in North America, they adopted pumpkins into their diets, recognizing their versatility and longevity. The early colonists used pumpkins in much the same way as the indigenous peoples. They were baked, roasted, or boiled, in foods savory and sweet.
How Pumpkins Became a Halloween Icon
Pumpkins’ connection to Halloween traces back to an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain. Celebrated on October 31, Samhain marked the end of the harvest and the start of winter. The Celts believed that on this night, the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, and spirits could roam the earth. To ward off these wandering souls, people would carve faces into large turnips or gourds, placing them in windows or near doorways to scare off evil spirits.
When Irish immigrants brought their Halloween traditions to America in the 19th century, they found that the native pumpkin was larger and easier to carve than the traditional turnip. Thus, the jack-o’-lantern was born. Pumpkins became the perfect medium for creating glowing, ghoulish faces to ward off spirits on Halloween night. The practice grew in popularity, and over time, the carved pumpkin became one of the most enduring symbols of Halloween.
Today, pumpkins serve a dual role. They are both a delicious ingredient in seasonal dishes and a key part of Halloween décor. Whether they are baked into pies or turned into jack-o’-lanterns, pumpkins continue to hold a special place in autumn celebrations around the world.
So let’s get cooking something savory with this delicious fruit-squash-decorative orb we love this time of year.
Notes
You can make this recipe with any type of squash. We were inspired by Pumpkin and the flavors of fall.
Ingredients
- 2 medium-size baking pumpkins
- 3 Tbsp Big Tom's Roasting Rub
- Olive Oil for cooking
- 3 Tbsp butter (vegan butter is great too)
- 5-6 cloves of garlic, peeled, sliced in half lengthwise
- 1 cup of pepitas
Instructions
- Preheat your oven (or smoker) to 350.
- Slice each pumpkin in half.
- Scoop out the seeds and stringy contents of the inside with a large metal spoon. The metal will allow you to clean the insides better as you remove the seeds.
- Leaving the peel on, and remove it after it is cooked, or remove it with a knife
- Slice the pumpkin in half and quarters, then chunks or thin slices.
- Place pieces into a large roasting pan.
- Drizzle with olive oil.
- Sprinkle with Big Tom's Roasting Rub and stir to coat all the pieces.
- Roast in the oven or smoker for 30 minutes.
- Add garlic, butter, optional herbs and stir to coat the garlic.
- Return the pan to the oven and roast for 10 minutes more.
- Remove from the oven and add pepitas.
- Toss to combine and serve.
