Go Big or Gourd Home
Go Big or Gourd Home
It’s the season for pumpkins and spice and everything nice and as farmers, we just love seeing the magnificent pumpkin receive well-deserved recognition. We believe that nature provides all of the nutrients our body needs by eating in harmony with the seasons and consuming pumpkin now is no exception. Pumpkin contains vitamins C, E, iron,… Read More »
It’s the season for pumpkins and spice and everything nice and as farmers, we just love seeing the magnificent pumpkin receive well-deserved recognition. We believe that nature provides all of the nutrients our body needs by eating in harmony with the seasons and consuming pumpkin now is no exception. Pumpkin contains vitamins C, E, iron, and folate which may strengthen your immune system in preparation for the colder months ahead. Pumpkin contains fiber and protein to help you feel full longer, which may help reduce your calorie intake as we naturally become less active and begin to spend more time indoors with the onset of colder weather.
A pumpkin, being a cultivar of winter squash, is round with smooth, ribbed skin, most often orange in coloration containing both seeds and pulp. Technically a fruit, and some are gourds, they are packed with nutrition with both the flesh and the seeds being edible. Pumpkin provides many health benefits according to nutritionists including being low in calories, and high in protein and fiber while containing vitamins that are said to help boost immunity.
Pumpkins are a beloved fall and winter fundamental food on our farm and throughout the United States. Pumpkins are said to have originated from Central & South America and are most known for being the main ingredients in Thanksgiving celebrations used in quick breads, filling for pies, and included in hearty seasonal soups.
We grow approximately 15 different varieties of pumpkins (all cucurbits) here on our farm which
can be eaten or used for decoration or carving. Cucurbits are climbing plants that include squash, pumpkins, cucumber, gourd, watermelon, and cantaloupe. We start our pumpkins from seed planted directly in the ground in late June where they will grow and mature until harvest in September through November (weather permitting). Pumpkins are fairly hardy and drought-tolerant and do not require much care. They can take about 90-120 days to mature and we pick our pumpkins at maturity for sale in our markets and also open up our fields for families to enjoy the fun of picking their pumpkins. Everyone should have a memory of picking the perfect pumpkin for carving at home and enjoying roasting the seeds!
Harvested pumpkins can be stored for long periods if kept in cold storage providing plenty of opportunities to include pumpkins in tasty recipes though the fall. If looking to store for use in the winter you may easily prepare, roast, puree, or freeze pumpkin to have it available when you need it. Want to learn more? Watch Miss Jenn in this video depicting how to make your pumpkin puree easily at home.
Our pumpkins are grown using sustainable and regenerative growing practices. Rebekah discusses how we use sustainable farming methods in our pumpkin fields in this video.
Enjoy an armchair visit to our pumpkin patch in this video. Best wishes for a happy fall!
