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Many centuries ago, as the summer harvest came to an end, the Celtic people prepared for the dark of winter by building big bonfires in their fields. They believed evil spirits lurked in the shadows around the bonfires, so they wanted light to guide their paths to and from the bonfires. The Celts carved faces on large turnips and then hollowed out the inside of the vegetable so a candle could sit within it. The light shining out through the carved faces scared away evil spirits. It also showed the way to their homes for the good spirits and for travelers.
In 1584, French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence region of North America. He reported finding “gros melons.” “Pompions” became the term in English, which eventually became “pumpkin.” When the immigrants arrived in America and found a bountiful supply of pumpkins, they soon adopted the pumpkin as the best fruit (and it is a fruit!) for carving Jack O’Lanterns.
Pumpkins belong to the gourd family, which includes cucumbers, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, watermelons, and zucchini. They are indigenous to the western hemisphere.
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Look who I found getting ready for Halloween. Do they need a costume?
