A big, round pumpkin generally reminds us of the glowing Jack-O'-Lanterns and all fun pranks. But this unambiguous fruit or sometimes referred to as a vegetable, is a great dish, when cooked by itself or with other vegetables. It is soft and versatile and makes quick cooking. The pumpkin is a squash fruit, most commonly orange in color when ripe. They grow as a gourd from a trailing vine of the genus Cucurbita Cucurbitaceae. They are generally native to the western hemisphere. The rind is smooth and variable in color. The larger kinds are quite heavy but smaller varieties are also grown for garden culture. They are traditionally used to carve Jack-o'-lanterns for use as part of Halloween celebrations.

Pumpkins are believed to have originated in North America. Seeds from such plants have been found in Mexico, dating as back as 7000 to 5500 B.C. The name pumpkin originated from the Greek word for 'large melon' known as 'Pepon.'. This was changed by the French into 'Pompon'. The English then changed 'pompon' to 'Pumpion'. The Native American Indians used pumpkin as a staple part of their diets, centuries ago. They also dried strips of pumpkin and wove them into mats. The Indians roasted long strips of pumpkin on the open fire and ate them. When the white settlers arrived, they saw the pumpkins grown by the Indians and pumpkin soon became a regular part of their diets too. As like the present, early settlers used them in a wide variety of recipes from desserts to stews and soups. The origin of pumpkin pie is said to have occurred when the colonists sliced off the pumpkin top, removed the seeds, and then filled it with milk, spices and honey. The pumpkin was then baked in the hot ashes of a dying fire.

It is a fact that the pumpkin in the U.S now, is grown more for decorative purposes rather than for consumption. With a number of contents ranging to the largest and heaviest pumpkins to the popular pumpkin pie eating contests, the fruit is around throughout the year. Being the most popular commodity for Halloween, selecting the pumpkins you will carve for your Halloween Jack-O'-Lanterns is very important. The pumpkin is picked according to what is going to be carved on them. But whether it's simply carving a pumpkin to sit on the door step or holding pumpkin carving parties and contests, this age old tradition is a main event for young and old alike.

Depending on the variety, pumpkins can range in size anywhere from tiny to humongous. Medium sized ones work best. Very large pumpkins can be carved with elaborate designs and used as 'center pieces' on the porch or tables. Small pumpkins work fine for carving traditional faces as they can be done fast and as many of them can be scattered about for parties, haunts or up your sidewalk as a lighted pathway.

So, get ready for some pumpkin fun ! Halloween is around the corner and pumpkins are in demand. Pumpkins apart from carving, is also a very good source of potassium and Vitamin A and is almost ninety percent water, which a good news for weight watchers. Well, then with so many things good about it, it is time to give the pumpkin its due recognition and have a great time, pumpkin picking !