Summary
The article explores the history and cultural significance of pumpkins. It explains how pumpkins became a symbol of autumn and traces the word's origins back to ancient and colonial times.
Key Facts
- Pumpkins are closely associated with autumn celebrations, like Halloween and Thanksgiving.
- The word "pumpkin" evolved from the Greek word "pepon" and through French as "pompon."
- Although the word has European roots, pumpkins are native to the Americas and have been cultivated there for thousands of years.
- Indigenous people in the Americas domesticated various types of pumpkins over 10,000 years ago.
- Despite other plant names coming and going, "pumpkin" became the lasting term for this type of squash.
- The pumpkins we recognize today are part of the Cucurbita genus.
- Pumpkins were an important food source for early European settlers in the Americas.
