Pumpkin vs. Jack O'Lantern

Now that we are in the thick of the fall season, the age-old question returns...what should be done with all of those pumpkins? From baked goods to scary lanterns to unique centerpieces, pumpkins are one of the most diverse plants around. With so many options, it can be hard to decide on the best use of your "pompion." Read on for fun facts and festive ideas.

Pumpkin
Recipes
~AllRecipes.com - Includes recipes for savory dishes, such as Pumpkin Turkey Chili and Pumpkin Fritters, along with sweet treats, such as Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins and Granny Kat's Pumpkin Roll.
~FoodNetwork.com - Embrace your inner TV chef by sampling some of the unique pumpkin recipes from big names like Paula Deen, the Barefoot Contessa, Bobby Flay and more! Recipes range from Pumpkin Mousse Parfait to Pumpkin Roulade with Ginger Buttercream to Spicy Pumpkin Seeds and beyond.

Decorative Ideas
~No surprise here, Martha Stewart offers some eye-catching decorative ideas for pumpkins. Give the Pumpkin Cachepots or Glittered Pumpkins a try.
~Real Simple has easy, no carve pumpkin ideas that make great use of tape, tacks and paint.
~Good Housekeeping is another handy resource for no fuss, no muss pumpkin decorating. Don't miss the beautiful celestial vase.
~Kaboose.com shares some cute ideas, such as Eeeek! Pumpkin, Swarm of Bats Pumpkin, Creepy Eyeball Pumpkin and Giant Pumpkin Bowl.

Fun Facts

~Pumpkins are fruits. They are a type of squash in the gourd family.

~The largest pumpkin ever grown was 1,689 lbs. It was grown by Joe Jutras of North Scituate, Rhode Island.

~In colonial times, pumpkins were emptied of seeds and filled with milk, spices and honey, then baked in hot ashes for a tasty treat.

~Pumpkins are 90% water.

~French explorer Jacques Cartier first called pumpkins "gros melons," which translates into "pompions," which has developed into "pumpkin."

~U.S. farmers produce more than 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkin annually.

~Pumpkins were once recommended to help remove freckles and cure snake bites.

Jack O'Lantern
Recipes (although recipes tend to fall under the pumpkin category, there are a few that bend the rules a little)
~Martha Stewart's Jack-o'-Lantern Tartlets, Pumpkin-Seed Brittle and Stew in a Pumpkin
~Betty Crocker's Jack-o'-Lantern Cake
~AllRecipes.com's Jack-O-Lantern Burgers

Carving Ideas
~Go back to basics with this helpful Pumpkin Carving Primer from Disney's FamilyFun website. Two other nice resources are the jack-o'-lanterns 101 poster and the Pumpkin Carving Tips: Carving the Perfect Pumpkin article, also featured on the site.
~After you learn all there is to know about pumpkin carving and are ready to go, Disney's FamilyFun site also provides ideas for what to actually carve into the pumpkin. Visit the Printable Halloween Patterns & Pumpkin Carving Templates page and the Jack-o-Lantern Patterns & Ideas page.
~Never one to miss a craft opportunity, Marth Stewart comes through again with impressive ideas for pumpkin carving. Check out her Carrot-Nose Jack-o'-Lanterns, Starburst Pumpkin Sconces, Jack-o'-Lanterns Made Tall, Spooky Silhouette Designs, Pierced Openwork Pumpkins and Pumpkin Creatures.
~Why carve alone, when you can host a pumpkin-carving party? Real Simple provides a step-by-step guide to throw a smashingly successful event. The guide includes a play list, menu ideas and carving tips.

History of the Jack O'Lantern
~The practice of carving jack o'lanterns began in Ireland with the myth of "Stingy Jack." According to legend, Stingy Jack played a few tricks on the devil in his lifetime. When he died, God would not allow Stingy Jack into heaven, due to his misdeeds in life. The devil would not allow him into hell, since Stingy Jack had duped him twice and make him promise not to take his soul. With nowhere else to go, Stingy Jack was forced to wander the earth with nothing but a burning coal to light his way. He placed this coal in a carved-out turnup for easier transportation. The Irish referred to him as "Jack of the Lantern," which developed into "Jack O'Lantern" over time. Irish and Scottish people started carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes, in order to scare away Stingy Jack and other evil spirits. Immigrants from Ireland and Scotland brought this tradition to America, but soon found pumpkins to be an easier plant to carve.

Pumpkins are a staple of Halloween and the fall season, in general. Their versatility allows chefs, bakers, crafters and families, alike, to express themselves in fun and unique ways. What will you do with pumpkins this year?

Sources of fun fact info: History.com and the University of Illinois Extension's Pumpkins and More site
Source of Jack O'Lantern history: History.com