Fall is here, and pumpkins are everywhere! Americans, both young and old, share enthusiasm for this time of year—maybe it’s the trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, baking tasty treats, setting up decorations, enjoying pumpkin lattes, baking pumpkin pie, dressing up in Halloween costumes—either way, there’s a comforting feeling and festive energy with this season.

Do You Know The Origins of Halloween?

The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward-off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1st as a time to honor all saints. Soon, ‘All Saints Day’ incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as ‘All Hallows Eve,’ and later ‘Halloween.’ Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes, and eating treats (source: history.com).

Pumpkin Fun Facts (source: Farmers Almanac)

* The word ‘pumpkin’ comes from the Greek word, pepon, which means a “large melon.”

* Pumpkins originated in Central America.

* Pumpkins are actually a fruit. Many people think it should be our national fruit.

* Pumpkin is also a squash; a member of Curcurbita family.

* The yellow-orange flowers that bloom on the pumpkin vine are edible.

* Pumpkin seeds taste great roasted and contain medicinal properties.

* Native Americans grew and ate pumpkins and their seeds long before the Pilgrims reached this continent. Pilgrims learned how to grow and prepare pumpkins from the Native Americans.

* Pumpkin was most likely served at the first Thanksgiving feast celebrated by the Pilgrims and the Native Americans in 1621.

* The earliest pumpkin pie made in America was quite different than the pumpkin pie we enjoy today. Pilgrims and early settlers made pumpkin pie by hollowing out a pumpkin, filling the shell with milk, honey and spices and baking it.

* Early settlers dried pumpkins shells, cut it into strips and wove it into mats.

* Pumpkin has been prepared in a variety of ways from soups to stews to desserts since the immigration of the first European settlers.

* The ‘Pumpkin Capital of the World’ is Morton, Illinois. Home of Libby’s pumpkin industry.

* The state of Illinois grows the most pumpkins. It harvests about 12,300 acres of pumpkins annually.

* The latest U.S. record (2019) for the largest pumpkin ever grown weighed in at 2,517.5 pounds by Karl Haist of Clarence Center, New York.

* Pumpkins were once considered a remedy for freckles and snakebites.

Natural medicine practitioners have proven that consuming pumpkin seeds reduces the risk of prostate disorders in men.

Decorate Those Pumpkins!

Carving, coloring, painting, and stenciling are just some of the millions of ways to trick-out Jack.  The real stars of the night are our little one’s dressed to fright!

What to do with all that pumpkin goo? Check out this bonus recipe, so easy to do!

White Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies with Almond-Maple Cream Cheese

These soft pumpkin cookies are a great snack idea when having a pumpkin carving party! The almond maple cream cheese gives it a nice finishing touch.

Recipe Type: Easy

Time to cook: 40 minutes

Serves: 8

Ingredients

12 oz. butter, softened 3/4 c. granulated sugar 3/4 c. brown sugar 2 eggs 1 c. pumpkin puree 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. allspice 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour 12 oz. white chocolate chips 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1/4 c. maple syrup 2 c. powdered sugar 1 tsp. almond extract 1 c. pepitas, toasted

Instruction:

For the Pumpkin Cookies:

* Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

* In a KitchenAid mixer or using a handheld mixer, add 8 oz. butter, brown sugar, and sugar. Mix for 1-2 minutes or until light in color and fully incorporated.

* Add one egg at a time. Mix.

* Add pumpkin puree, vanilla , and white chocolate chips.

* Fold in flour, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.

* Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

* Roll cookie into golf size balls or use a small cookie scoop. Place evenly on the baking sheets. There should be 12 cookies on each sheet.

* Gently flattened the cookie dough with the bottom of a spoon.

* Bake 10 minutes.

* Remove from the oven once turned light brown.

* Allow to cool for 2-3 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

For the Almond-Maple Cream Cheese:

* In a KitchenAid mixer, add cream cheese, powdered sugar, almond extract, and maple syrup. Mix for 1-2 minutes at medium speed.

* Add 4 oz. of butter (1 tbs. at a time) and mix until fully incorporated. Taste.

* Refrigerate until ready to use.

For the Pepitas:

* Heat an 8 inch pan on medium-low heat. Add pepitas.

* Cook for about five minutes. Stir frequently.

* The seeds will pop, puff up, and become toasted.

* Remove from heat. Set aside to cool.

Assemble:

* Once cookies have cooled, top with almond cream cheese.

* Garnish with toasted pepitas. Enjoy!

—via Chef Ryan Rondeno

Private Chef to the Stars, Ryan Rondeno, is a true master of his trade and is ready to shake up the restaurant industry by bringing elegant dishes, bold flavor, and simple technique to the home front. His masterful cuisine has been relished at large-scale culinary events, gala dinners, and as a personal chef to some of the most notable names in the industry. As founder and owner of Rondeno Culinary Designs and the Rondeno Spice Collection, Chef Rondeno is focused on guiding cooks of all skill levels enhance the flavor of the dishes and experiences to the kitchen table with his FoodCulture App.