Along with the cooler temperatures and falling leaves comes one of autumn’s favorite flavors…Pumpkin!
The warm golden orange color evokes autumnal treats… hot apple cider, caramel apples and all things pumpkin spice!!!!
Pumpkins are native to North America and were originally grown for food. Traditionally pumpkins were baked, mashed or stewed in savory dishes or in pumpkin pies.
Today pumpkin and pumpkin spice flavors are found in just about everything from pumpkin spice lattes to cheesecake and muffins to soup and so much more!Interestingly, commercially canned pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie fillings are usually made from different kinds of winter squash other than true pumpkins.At Halloween pumpkins are used for decorations. Some are carved into scary jack-o’-lanterns and others into increasingly complicated sculptures. Still others are kept whole and displayed in harvest tableaus often with Indian corn and cornstalks.
Pumpkins are a good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C and for a 100 gram amount, raw pumpkin provides only 26 Calories!
The versatile pumpkin also has medical and nutritional benefits! Pumpkins were used as folk medicine by Native Americans to treat intestinal worms, parasites and urinary ailments. Canned pumpkin is often recommended by veterinarians as a dietary supplement for dogs and cats that are experiencing certain digestive ailments such as constipation, diarrhea and even hairballs!
At the Emerald Island Casino we love Pumpkin. Our great Pumpkin Pie is back in the Emerald Island Grille! A real fall treat will soon be returning to our menu – our house made Autumn Squash Bisque Soup! Look for it in mid-October!!!
Please join us for a great dinner with savory Autumn Squash Bisque and remember to save room for a sweet and spicy slice of Pumpkin Pie!
What are some of your favorite seasonal Pumpkin dishes?