Gourt > Home > Cooking > Nuts and Seeds > Pumpkin
- For the film, see Pumpkin (film).
A pumpkin is a squash fruit, most commonly orange in colour when ripe. Pumpkins grow as a gourd from a trailing vine of the genus Cucurbita Cucurbitaceae. Cultivated in North America, continental Europe, and some other countries, as well as in English cottage gardens, Cucurbita varieties include Curcurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita mixta, or Cucurbita moschata — all plants native to the Western hemisphere. The pumpkin varies greatly in form, being sometimes nearly globular, but more generally oblong or ovoid in shape. The rind is smooth and very variable in colour. The larger kinds acquire a weight of 40 to 80 lb (18 to 36 kg) but smaller varieties are in vogue for garden culture. Pumpkins are a popular food, with their innards commonly eaten cooked and served in dishes such as pumpkin pie. Pumpkins are traditionally used to carve Jack-o'-lanterns for use as part of Halloween celebrations.
Cultivation
Pumpkins have historically been pollinated by the native squash bee Peponapis pruinosa, but this bee has declined, probably due to pesticide sensitivity, and most commercial plantings are pollinated by honeybees today. One hive per acre (4,000 m² per hive) is recommended by the US Department of Agriculture. Gardeners with a shortage of bees, however, often have to hand pollinate. More on [ Pumpkin ]
Could that be ice in my soup?
Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700
This August 2007 article suggested chilling out -- with a bowl of naeng myun, the served-cold Korean specialty with springy noodles and a tangy broth. Summer in Koreatown has long been marked by the sounds of slurping. The season for naeng myun -- cold noodles -- is now in full swing, and at restaurants across the neighborhood, huge bowlfuls of chewy buckwheat noodles quickly disappear. Occasionally there are pauses for a spoonful of icy-cold tangy broth, a bite of crunchy pickled daikon or cucumber, a sliver of crisp-sweet Asian pear, or a slice of tender beef brisket.
High-end restaurants on a tightrope of economic uncertainty
Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Celebrity chefs behind Melisse, Anisette, Craft and other deluxe dining spots try to lure recession-wary diners. PEOPLE always have to eat, but do they have to dine out? That's the question Southern California's top chefs are facing after the last few weeks of grim economic news.
Mix and match to create a spice blend all your own
Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Whether it's a Cajun or charmoula combination, add a fresh dimension to a traditional blend of herbs and spices with your own flavor pairings. Bold Cajun blends, Chinese five-spice powder, Caribbean jerk, garam masala garam masala from India, Middle Eastern baharat , Thai green curry paste -- each of these blends of spices and herbs has its origins as a cornerstone of a regional cuisine. Traditionally developed over time and honed through generations, spice blends are calculated combinations of fresh or dry ingredients that create a symphony of flavors. Walk the spice aisle of any store and commercial variations abound.
Egg Tacos with Pumpkin-seed and Tomato-havanero Sauces - Originally a Mayan recipe.
Meta Description: [ Find delicious egg recipes, like egg tacos with pumpkin-seed and tomato-habanero sauces, and other Mexican recipes at Epicurious.com ]
Mexican Floating Island with Custard Sauce and Sesame Pumpkin Seed Brittle. - Calls for 3 tablespoons of pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds).
Meta Description: [ Find delicious egg recipes, like mexican floating island with kahlua custard sauce and sesame pumpkin-seed brittle, and other Mexican recipes at Epicurious.com ]
Pumpkin Seed Praline - Simple recipe calling for 1 cup of hulled pumkin seeds.
Meta Description: [ Find delicious recipes, like pumpkin seed praline, and other American recipes at Epicurious.com ]
Pumpkin-seed Brittle - Directions for toasting the seeds are included.
Meta Description: [ Find delicious pumpkin recipes, like pumpkin-seed brittle, and other recipes at Epicurious.com ]
| While some pumpkin crops have suffered with wet weather, many farmers say the pumpkins are plentiful. (Sept. 24) ... | |
| Next Video | |
