Celebrating National Pumpkin Day!

by Sheila Turner-Hilliard

If you’re a frequent reader of our Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors magazine, you know we love a good party! From our magazine’s 3-year anniversary to National Golf Month to Grandparents’ Day, we’re your source for finding an excuse to celebrate every month of the year!

October means the leaves are falling, our nights are longer and the air is filled with the spicy-sweet scent of pumpkin. In fact, no food symbolizes the fall season quite like the pumpkin. And although October 26th is the only day officially dedicated to National Pumpkin Day, we give you permission to celebrate all month long.

Many of you have already started the pumpkin party. After all, the grocery stores are jam-packed with “limited edition” pumpkin-infused cereals, ice cream, coffee and cookies. And 2021 has introduced some questionable pumpkin-spiced items like ramen noodles, hummus, potato chips and even dog treats.

So, what is so special about these plentiful, plump members of the gourd family? Pumpkins, it turns out, are very symbolic in American culture. Harvested in October, this nutritious and versatile fruit features seeds and flesh that are edible and rich in vitamins. Pumpkins were one of the first crops planted by colonists, and to this day, they hold a nostalgic place in our hearts, on our tables and on our doorsteps.

Pumpkins are not only delicious, they’re also an amazingly versatile fruit that can be used in sweet and salty recipes. You can bake, boil, steam, puree and even fry them. With so many ways to serve pumpkin, and so many flavors you can add, there’s sure to be a way to please even the pickiest in your pumpkin patch.

It’s easy to find recipes galore online, but if you would rather leave the pumpkin preparation to the professionals, visit our Sponsor, Weinrich’s Bakery, for delicious baked goods. Cynthia Weinrich said that from October through Thanksgiving, their shelves are stocked with festive treats. “We make everything from pumpkin bread to pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Some of our customers’ favorites are pumpkin donuts, cream cheese-filled pumpkin rolls, pumpkin muffins and pumpkin-shaped decorated cookies.”

Aside from praising the pumpkin for its prowess in the kitchen, pumpkins of all shapes and sizes make fantastic seasonal decorations for our homes. We’re not just talking about your typical kid-carved jack-o’-lanterns. Grab some gourds and paint them your favorite seasonal colors or stencil on your family monogram. Place pumpkins along your walkway or decorate your entryway with a display of pumpkins, mums and bales of hay.

For more creative ideas, pay a visit to our Sponsor, Mostardi Nursery, where pumpkins, mums and seasonal decor are plentiful. A clever idea is to top some mini pumpkins with succulents, colorful flowers and berries. To assemble, just glue the succulents to some moss and secure on top of the pumpkin. Do not cut the pumpkin. Spritz with some water once a week. The best part about this project is when the season is over, simply peel the arrangement from the top of the pumpkin and place it in a saucer containing about an inch of soil. The succulents will continue to grow and can be used for your next holiday project.

Summer may be long gone, and cold winter days are on the horizon, but for now, let’s just stop to smell the pumpkins! NS