Alberta Co-op Grocery

Pie Pumpkins? More Like All-Kinds-of-Foods Pumpkins!

Posted December 6th, 2011

by Eleanor, Produce Team

After Thanksgiving every year I can’t help but think what a shame it is that pie pumpkins are named pie pumpkins, when they are really just a sweet, delicious squash and present myriad non-pie possibilities, both sweet and savory.  There is nothing quite as cozy as warming up the house with some baking this time of year, and I love everything from simple pumpkin muffins to decadent cheesecake.

But my favorite thing to do with pumpkins is super simple:

Curried Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 onion
• 1 pumpkin
• 1 can of coconut milk
• Red curry paste, to taste (about 1 heaping tablespoon).  I love the one  made in Oregon, and available at the Co-op, from Thai and True.

Directions:

• Cut the pumpkin in half, scoop out all the seeds and guts, and bake at 350 degrees until soft, about 45-60 minutes, depending on the size.
• Saute the onion, and put it in a blender with the flesh of the roasted pumpkin.
• Add the coconut milk and enough water to blend smoothly, or until it is your preferred consistency.
• Put the mixture into a pot to heat it up and add your salt and curry paste.

This soup is creamy and spicy and so beautiful it glows!  If you would like some other inspiring ideas about what to do with pumpkins, check out this website for a bunch more recipes to get you cooking!

Tags: curry, gluten-free, pumpkin, soup, vegan
Posted in Food and Drink, Recipes, Spotlight

The History of Pumpkins

Posted November 24th, 2010

by Teryani Riggs, Working Owner

The name pumpkin originated from the Greek word for “large melon” which is “pepon.” “Pepon” was changed by the French into “pompon.” The English termed it “pumpion” or “pompion.” The origin of pumpkins is not definitively known, although they are thought to have originated in North America. In fact, the oldest evidence of pumpkin related seeds were found in Mexico, dating between 7000 and 5500 B.C.

Pumpkin was a staple in the Northeastern First Nations diets for centuries before the pilgrims landed. They used them for everything from mat-making to food and medicine. One way of eating them that the tribes used was to roast long strips of pumpkin on the open fire and eat them. They also roasted or boiled them for eating.

When the first settlers arrived, they were dependent upon the indigenous folks for survival. Historians think that the settlers were not very impressed by the Indians’ squash and/or pumpkins until they had to survive their first harsh winter. After that, pumpkin became one of the primary staples in the colonists’ diet, used in everything from desserts to stews and soups. In fact, the origin of pumpkin pie is thought to have occurred when the colonists sliced off the pumpkin top, removed the seeds, and then filled it with milk, spices and honey. The pumpkin was then baked in the hot ashes of a dying fire.

Weird Pumpkin Facts:

• The largest pumpkin pie ever made was over five feet in diameter and weighed over 350 pounds. It used 80 pounds of cooked pumpkin, 36 pounds of sugar, 12 dozen eggs and took six hours to bake.
• The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,140 pounds.
• Pumpkins are 90 percent water.
• Eighty percent of the pumpkin supply in the United States is available in October.

Happy Pumpkin Feasting!

Tags: pumpkin
Posted in Food and Drink, General Information