According to an agricultural report from Rutgers University, here in New Jersey pumpkins cover over 2,500 acres of farmland and each acre yields about 11 tons of pumpkins per year. That’s a lot of pumpkins.
You should know that 100% of all pumpkins grown here in Jersey are all fresh market and are used for consumption or retail purposes. New Jersey is responsible for a little over 5% of the national production.
Photo by Gabby Orcutt on Unsplash
An amazing 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are grown each year here in the United States. 1.5 billion with a B! The largest pumpkin on record tipped the scales at over 2,600 pounds and was grown by a man in Belgium. Can you imagine that pumpkin pie?
I was thinking the other day how did the pumpkin actually become so associated with Halloween and a symbol for fall harvest? I did some research on the bright round orange object and was pleasantly surprised at some interesting facts.
Many people believe that the pumpkin is a vegetable. It’s actually a fruit and contrary to Thanksgiving folklore it’s not true that the Pilgrims had pumpkin pie at their Thanksgiving table. What they did have is pumpkin beer. Those Pilgrims loved their beer and made it from many fruits and vegetables but pumpkin beer was a Pilgrim fan favorite. It could be because every part of the pumpkin is edible.
Halloween pumpkin orange cocktails. Festive drink. Halloween party. Funny Pumpkin with a glowing cocktail glass on a dark toned foggy background.
The whole idea of carving pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns dates back centuries to Ireland where they would carve squash and potatoes and leave them on the front porch to ward off Stingy Jack who was a trickster and would cause havoc if not fooled. That tradition continued with immigrants here in the United States and the carving of pumpkins became a national past time.
Speaking of pumpkin pie, comedian Lewis Black had a great bit about pumpkins. He said “Why is it when you cut into a pumpkin it smells like crap but yet it makes a tasty pie?” He’s got a point.
So when you go out and pick your pumpkin for your pie or decorate for Halloween, keep in mind the history of this amazing fruit and maybe make a tasty pie or a nice beer!
The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 weekend host Big Joe Henry. Any opinions expressed are Big Joe’s own.
Jersey Fresh Produce is already starting to come to market
10 years later — Sandy makes landfall in New Jersey
"tasty" - Google News
October 02, 2022 at 05:17PM
https://ift.tt/iaJHuYX
New Jersey pumpkins more than a tasty pie - New Jersey 101.5 FM
"tasty" - Google News
https://ift.tt/PRpzEoh
https://ift.tt/tQf5eoV
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "New Jersey pumpkins more than a tasty pie - New Jersey 101.5 FM"
Post a Comment