Now that Thanksgiving is over with and Christmas is looming on the horizon we start to think about our Christmas baking. Not only for our big family meals, but for those wonderful little cookies and tea breads we distribute to our friends and neighbors.
Many organic gardeners use a lot of their fall produce in their holiday gift giving and pumpkins fall into that category.
Pumpkins have lots of benefits. Those we know of such as using them for fall decorations, Halloween Jack-O-Lanterns and of course pumpkin pie. However, did you know that pumpkins are a great source of beta-carotene? Beta-carotene is great for us since it converts to vitamin A in the body once it is consumed and we are told that is an excellent benefit for fighting heart attacks and cancer.
The Greeks used to call pumpkins Pepon which means large melon. We associate pumpkins with the color orange, but they do come in yellow, red and even white. When I lived in Australia many of the pumpkins and squash were blue or bluish grey color!
Many alternative health or herbal health people know that pumpkin seeds are used in the treatment of prostrate disorders and irritable bladders when consumed in their green state. They contain valuable vitamins, amino acids, calcium and even essential fatty acids in the form of omega-6s and omega 3s.
When you are making a pumpkin pie, do not use the same type of pumpkin you would use for a Jack-O-Lantern. Use a sugar or pie pumpkin. You may have to ask the seller which is which. The ones used for Halloween decorations are usually those found in large stacks outside your favorite super market and will not make good pies.
Should you be the gardener who does not grow a pumpkin then that is o.k. because one can always get great canned pumpkin for a very modest cost at just about any store in our wonderful nation and just use that for your bread, pies and pumpkin cookies.
Regardless, don't underestimate the value of pumpkins. They are good for us and one of my favorite recipes is pumpkin soup which I have written about in another article.
"Tread the Earth Lightly" and in the meantime May your day be filled with Peace, Light and Love,
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