Today was the last day of this week’s workweek, thank goodness! There still was a little bit of moon craze going on. The morning started out good as I received a call from a lab that I’d been investigating a lost job with. It turned up with the mail I picked up last night. Unfortunately, nobody could figure it out on their end. It had caused me quite a bit of angst.
Later in the day, my coworker had 2 files literally vanish into thin air. As of close neither she nor I could find them. I’m sure they will turn up eventually. 🤞 I hope anyway. 😏
It’s the weekend and I’m very glad. The most pressing thing I have is continuing education and coffee roasting!
So back to the pumpkin season!
Lumo is Proton Mail’s version of Grok-if you will. Lumo had this to say about pumpkins when asked about the history of pumpkins:
Pumpkins have a long and varied history that stretches across continents and centuries. Here’s a concise overview:
Origins in the Americas
Domestication: Pumpkins belong to the species Cucurbita pepo, C. maxima, and C. moschata. Archaeological evidence shows that Indigenous peoples in what is now Mexico and the eastern United States were cultivating pumpkins as early as 7,000–5,500 BCE.
Cultural role: For many Native American societies, pumpkins were a staple food, a source of oil, and a material for containers, bowls, and even musical instruments. They also featured in myths and seasonal rituals tied to harvest cycles.
Spread to Europe
Columbian Exchange (late 15th–16th centuries): After Christopher Columbus’ voyages, pumpkins were among the crops brought back to Europe. Spanish and Portuguese explorers introduced them to the Iberian Peninsula, from where they spread to Italy, France, and England.
Adaptation: European growers selected varieties suited to cooler climates, leading to the development of the classic orange, round pumpkin we associate today with autumn.
Integration into Global Cuisine
Asia: By the 17th century, pumpkins reached East Asia via trade routes. In Japan, Korea, and China they became integral to soups, stews, and sweets.
Africa: Portuguese traders introduced pumpkins to West Africa, where they merged with local dishes such as stews and porridges.
Modern North America: In the United States, pumpkins became emblematic of the fall harvest. The 19th‑century tradition of carving “jack‑o‑lanterns” evolved from Irish folklore (using turnips) and was popularized with pumpkins because of their size and ease of carving.
Industrial and Commercial Development
Seed industry: The late 1800s saw the rise of seed companies (e.g., Burpee) that standardized pumpkin varieties for both ornamental and culinary purposes.
Food processing: Today, pumpkins are processed into canned puree, pies, soups, breads, and even beverages. Their seeds (pepitas) are roasted and sold as snacks, and pumpkin oil is used in gourmet cooking.
Contemporary Symbolism
Seasonal icon: In many Western cultures, pumpkins signal the start of the Halloween/Thanksgiving season, appearing in decorations, marketing, and media.
Nutritional spotlight: Modern nutrition science highlights pumpkins for their high beta‑carotene (vitamin A), fiber, and antioxidants, fueling a resurgence of pumpkin‑based health foods.
Overall, pumpkins moved from a domesticated staple of Indigenous American agriculture to a globally recognized symbol of autumn, while retaining diverse culinary and cultural roles across the world.
Pumpkins have developed into many uses from food to ornamental and then some!
Me?- I adore pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread and of course, as seasonal decorations for the fall harvest season up through Thanksgiving.
That’s it for today. Happy pumpkin 🎃 hunting! Take care and enjoy the rest of your day wherever you are! 🙏🌏🙏
👣🐑☕️🎃🎃🎃🍁🍂🍄🟫😁😏😎👍🌻🌙🥱😴
NKJV Psalm 70:4
Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
And let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“Let God be magnified!”
This report was published via Actifit app (Android | iOS). Check out the original version here on actifit.io
Picture taken by me and altered by cliptocomic app
@elizabethbit is a member of ladiesofsgs4eva
a sweet group of lady stackers of SGH
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