Hello, dear friends! Today at Paulina Cocina, we're going to talk about a very typical vegetable in Halloween decorations: the pumpkin . Why do I say we're going to talk about it? Because in addition to learning why it's used and how to make it, we're going to look at delicious pumpkin recipes and all the tricks for cooking with this vegetable without wasting anything.
You've probably seen the Halloween pumpkin in countless movies or as a decoration for that very special holiday. Although it's strongly associated with the United States, its origins are a little different.
Halloween pumpkin design doesn't always have to be the typical little face. In fact, there are several options that depend on our skill and imagination. But we'll see that there are standardized designs because, of course, everything has its meaning.
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About the Halloween pumpkin
What is the origin of the Halloween pumpkin?
The Halloween pumpkin , he was barred from entering Heaven or Hell. The Devil threw him a piece of burning coal so he could find his way in the dark, and Jack placed it in a carved turnip to use as a lantern.
Since then, Jack's spirit roams the earth with his lantern, and carved turnips became symbols of protection against evil spirits. With the arrival of Irish immigrants to North America, they discovered that pumpkins were more abundant and easier to carve, so they began using them instead of turnips.
5 interesting facts about the Halloween pumpkin
- The Pumpkin Festival EXISTS : It's an annual event in the United States, in Circleville, Ohio. One of the pumpkin festivals in the world, with parades, carving contests, pumpkin races, and other related activities.
- According to the Guinness Book of World Records , the largest pumpkin ever recorded was grown in Belgium in 2016. It weighed an astonishing total of 1,190.49 kg (2,624.6 lb).
- October 31st is celebrated in some countries as "National Carve a Pumpkin Day." It's an opportunity for people to have fun carving pumpkins and share their creations on social media.
- Although the most common Halloween pumpkin is the round, orange variety, there are many varieties of pumpkins that can be used for decoration. Some have elongated shapes, warts, or unusual colors, such as the white pumpkin or the blue pumpkin.
- In some parts of the world, such as the United States and Canada, pumpkin-tossing competitions are held , where participants launch pumpkins with catapults or compressed-air cannons. The objective is to throw the pumpkin as far as possible.
What is the name of the pumpkin used for Halloween? What other designs are there?
The pumpkin used for Halloween is commonly known as a " Jack-o'-lantern . " It's a carved pumpkin with a spooky face, triangular eyes, a triangular nose, and a toothy mouth. A candle or light is placed inside. There are other designs as well:
- Black Cat: Carve the silhouette of a black cat with glowing eyes and a malicious grin.
- Ghost : Carve the shape of a ghost with a scared face and a floating sheet around it.
- Spider : Carve a large spider with long, creepy legs.
- Skull : To carve a skull with an open jaw and sharp teeth.
- Spooky Tree : Carve the silhouette of a dark, twisted tree with uneven branches.
- Zombie Captive : Carve a zombie face with sunken eyes and stitches on the mouth.
- Bat : Carve a bat with outstretched wings and menacing eyes.
- Evil Pumpkin : Carve a pumpkin with a devilish grin and twisted horns.
- Cemetery Scene : Carve a cemetery scene with tombstones, crosses, and a full moon in the background.
How to Make a Halloween Pumpkin
- Find a large, round pumpkin. Make sure it has a strong stem and is in good condition. Cover your work surface with newspaper or plastic to make cleanup easier, as pumpkin carving can be messy.
- Using a sharp knife , cut a circle around the stem of the pumpkin to make the lid. Make an inward-angled cut to prevent the lid from falling inward. Remove the seeds and flesh from the pumpkin with a large spoon or a specialized pumpkin scoop. Clean the inside thoroughly to ensure it is smooth.
- Design the pattern. Trace the design onto the pumpkin with a pencil or soft marker. The more intricate the design, the more difficult it will be to carve. Using a sharp knife or specialized carving tool, follow the marked lines to carve the design into the pumpkin.
- Once you're done carving , place a votive candle inside the pumpkin. You can also use an LED Halloween light for added safety. Replace the pumpkin lid and tighten it securely.
Recommended recipes to use up leftover Halloween pumpkin filling
The best thing you can make with this delicious filling is soup! You have three must-try and powerful Pumpkin Soup : a Light Pumpkin and Ginger Soup for a light meal, a classic of Spanish cuisine like Cream of Pumpkin , and a recipe that will surprise you like Cream of Pumpkin and Coconut Soup .
Continuing with the theme of using a more pureed filling, you can perfectly make Pumpkin Gnocchi and Flourless Tart with a pumpkin base .
Oh, but maybe you were looking for something sweet. Well, you can make a Pumpkin Pudding and some finger-licking Pumpkin Fritters
