Featured are Sugar Pie Heirloom Organic Pumpkins grown at Shepherds Heart Farm
Next to apple pie Americans favorite comfort food is pumpkin pie.
Habitat
Pumpkins are indigenous to America and can be cultivated in colder climates but prefer warmer areas. They prefer a well-drained, rich composted soil that is not soggy soil. Pumpkin seeds begin to germinate when the soil temperature gets to 70 degrees. Pumpkins need allot of water but not consistently wet. Seeds will germinate in 4-7 days. I usually begin mine in the greenhouse and transplant seedlings when I know that the danger of frost is gone and the soil is warm.
Pumpkins are vines plants so they require a large amount of room or you can grow them vertical when you provide them sturdy trellis materials. Pumpkin flowers are pollinated in the morning on female flowers. A small green fruit will begin and at the end of the season, it will ripen to various shades of orange.
Yes! You can harvest your pumpkin while green if heavy frost threatens although it will take quite some time in a sunny window for it to ripen. Pumpkins are fairly resistant to disease except in fall when they are vulnerable to powdery mildew.
Yes! You can grow pumpkins in a greenhouse!
Medicinal Qualities
Pumpkin flesh is soothing to the digestive system. It acts as a mild diuretic and anti-inflammatory. It is a suitable remedy for renal (kidney) afflictions and edema.
Pumpkin seeds reduce inflammation of the prostrate. It also reduces and relax for irritable bladder conditions. Pumpkin seeds are used as an anti-parasitic. They can reduce iron-deficiency in anemia while pumpkin seed oil is beneficial for post-menopausal women.
Contraindications
When pumpkin is used in moderation, there are no contraindications or warnings.
Nutrition
Pumpkins are a low calorie vegetable. They are rich in dietary fiber, anti-oxidants, minerals, trace minerals, and vitamins. The pumpkin is packed with vitamins. Vitamin A is critical to maintain skin integrity and healthy mucus membranes. This delicious food is an excellent source of the compounds needed for good eye sight. Research is showing that Vitamin A protects against lung and mouth cancer.
Storage
Pumpkin can be dried in a dehydrator, frozen or canned for later use. You can also store whole pumpkins in a cool, dark, dry place for months.
Spiced Pickled Pumpkin
Recipes for pumpkin pie, bread, muffins abound but have you tried Spiced Pumpkin Pickles?
5 Pounds of pumpkin pared, peeled, and cut into 1 inch squares
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 tablespoon stick cinnamon
1 quart of 5% vinegar
4 pounds sugar
Place pumpkin in a pot.
Tie spices in a knee high or sock tying or rubber-banding the end.
Add vinegar and sugar. Heat to boiling and boil for 5 minutes.
Cook pumpkin until tender but not mushy.
Put into sterile jars and cover with vinegar sugar.
Process for 90 minutes @ 15 pounds pressure (4000 feet). Follow pressure-canning directions, and always adjust pressure for altitude.
When you follow the directions home canned foods are safer than any product that you can commercially purchase.
The longer you let the jars sit to cure the more flavorful your spiced pumpkin pickles will be.
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