Big and plump, small and round or curiously curved, pumpkins aren't just pumpkins! There are about 800 different species, in total 130 genera are distinguished. However, only about 200 species are edible. The giants have fueled the ambition of numerous breeders. Who is the biggest, heaviest, most beautiful pumpkin? At the end of September of this year, a new world record was set:one weighed 951 kg.
Spooky pumpkin faces are just part of Halloween. But where does the habit come from? It originated in Catholic Ireland a long time ago:legend has it that Jack, a miserly and alcoholic blacksmith, messed with the devil on the night before All Saints' Day. So when he was denied access to heaven after his death, he was not allowed to go to hell either. So Jack had no choice but to roam between heaven and hell from now on. Out of pity the devil gave the damned soul a burning coal. Jack stuffed the present into a hollowed-out tuber he'd taken as provisions. Since then, Jack'o Lantern has been seen through the darkness with the lantern on Halloween.
They can be kept in a dark place for several weeks. However, hollowed-out pumpkins quickly become moldy. To prevent this, you can rinse the pumpkin with vinegar after hollowing out and spray the outside with hairspray.
Potassium, magnesium, selenium, phytosterols, linoleic acid and vitamins A, E and K. Thanks to this combination, pumpkins strengthen the immune system, lower cholesterol levels, prevent cardiovascular disease and keep the skin healthy. smooth and have a draining effect. What a miracle of nature!
In addition to many unsaturated fats, they contain the amino acid tryptophan, which supports the formation of the happiness hormone serotonin. A good mood guaranteed!
3 things you can do with pumpkin
When used sparingly, nutmeg is the classic pumpkin spice. Nutmeg is delicious in pumpkin puree. But it also provides a pleasant note in pumpkin soup.
Like nutmeg, cinnamon is used sparingly in pumpkin refining. In combination with honey or sage, however, it goes particularly well with stewed pumpkin. The warming sweetness of cinnamon gives pumpkin that little bit extra!
When it comes to seasoning for pumpkin, caraway probably doesn't come first. However, it comes into its own in a pumpkin risotto and rounds off perfectly.
Serve your pumpkin as a side dish with game, according to the season, then you can also go for thyme. Together with a little honey you can make a great side dish of pumpkin wedges in the oven.
The exotic spiciness of ginger powder goes particularly well with pumpkin soup. This gives this fall starter the ultimate kick! Despite its freshness, the heat also warms up from within.
A spicy curry mix also goes perfectly with pumpkin! You can use this to conjure up a delicious pumpkin curry, for example. The spiciness of the chili powder is particularly good and the turmeric it contains gives it an extra nice color.
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