PUMPKINS

in #farms6 years ago

ORIGIN

Pumpkins are native to North America. This food was already highly valued in antiquity by Native Americans, due to its nutritional and medicinal properties. Its multiple benefits derive from a high content of essential nutrients for our organism: zinc, phosphorus, copper, potassium, iron and magnesium.


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PUMPKINS NUTRITION

The bright orange color of pumpkins indicates that they are rich in beta carotene, a very important antioxidant. Beta carotene is one of the carotenoids of plants that are converted to vitamin A in the body. During the transformation into vitamin A, beta-carotene fulfills several important functions in general health.

The most recent studies indicate that a diet rich in foods containing beta-carotene can help reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer and can protect against heart disease. Beta-carotene also prevents other diseases and some degenerative aspects of aging.

PUNPKINS NUTRITION FACTS

(1 cup of cooked pumpkin, boiled, washed, without salt)

Calories 49
Proteins 2 grams
Carbohydrates 12 grams
Nutritional fiber 3 grams
Calcium 37 mg
Iron 1.4 mg
Magnesium 22 mg
Potassium 564 mg Zinc 1 mg
Selenium .50 mg
Vitamin C 12 mg
Niacin 1 mg
Folate 21 mcg
Vitamin A 2650 IU
Vitamin E


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PUMPKIN CULTIVATION

Pumpkin is a temperate plant vegetable that can be grown in almost all the territory of the United States. Besides being used to make the typical Halloween lanterns known as jack-o'-lanterns, pumpkins are used to make butter, pies, puddings, breads, cookies and soups.

WHEN TO PLANT THEM?

The pumpkin is a very tender vegetable. The seeds do not germinate in the cold soil and the seedlings are affected by frost. Pumpkins should be planted when there is no risk of frost and when the soil has warmed. Pumpkins that are used as Halloween decorations should be planted from the end of May, in the north, until the beginning of July, in the southern areas. If we plant them early, they may soften and rot before Halloween.

SEPARATION AND DEPTH

A minimum of 50 to 100 square feet per mound is needed for climbing pumpkin plants. Plant the seeds one inch deep (four or five seeds per mound). Leave 5 to 6 feet between mounds. The space between each row should be 10 to 15 feet. When the young plants have settled, scratch each mound and leave the best two or three plants.
Semi-shrub varieties should be planted one inch deep (four or five seeds per mound). Raze each mound and leave the two best plants. Leave a space of 4 feet between mounds and 8 feet between rows.
Miniature varieties should be planted one inch deep. In each row it is recommended to plant two or three seeds every 2 feet. The row spacing should be 6 to 8 feet. When the seedlings have two true leaves they will have to be thinned to leave only one, the best, every two feet.
Shrub varieties should be planted one inch deep (1 or 2 seeds per row foot). It will be necessary to thin until leaving only one plant every 3 feet. Leave a space of 4 to 6 feet between rows.


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WATCH OUT

The weeds that grow around the pumpkins can be controlled with shallow tillage or with a hoe. Pumpkins should be watered if there is a long-term drought at the beginning of summer. Pumpkins tolerate hot and dry short periods very well.
Insecticides can kill the bees needed to pollinate pumpkins and zucchini. The insecticides should be used only in the afternoon when the flowers are already closed and the bees no longer visit them. Since new flowers are opened every day and because bees stand only inside open flowers, these pollinating insects are generally not affected by potentially deadly sprays.


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HARVEST

Pumpkins can be harvested when they turn a uniform and strong color (orange, for most varieties) and when the shell is hard. If the plants are healthy, harvest at the end of September or the first of October, before the strong frosts arrive. If the plants die prematurely due to diseases or for other reasons, reap the fruits and keep them in a warm and dry place until Halloween. Remove the pumpkins from the plants very carefully using a pruning shear or a sharp knife and leave 3 to 4 inches of stem. If you tear the pumpkins out of the plants, you will most likely break the stems of the pumpkins. Normally, stemless pumpkins are not kept in good condition. Wear gloves when harvesting pumpkins since many varieties have spiny stems.
When you have to move the pumpkins from one place to another, avoid cutting and hitting them. The fruits that have not matured well, those that have been damaged and those that have been exposed to strong frosts do not last. The ideal temperature for storage should be between 50 and 55 ° F.


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COMMON PROBLEMS

The dusty blight develops a white and dusty mold on the outer surface of the leaves. This disease can cause early leaf wilt and interfere with proper maturation.
Cucumber cuckoo and pumpkin bug attack seedlings, plants and ripe and immature fruits. Be alert, especially at the end of summer, to the appearance of these insects that can damage mature fruits, ruining their appearance and hindering their storage.


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THE REALITY OF THE PUMPKINS

THE REALITY OF THE PUMPKINS

1) The main pumpkin producing counties in Illinois are Tazewell, Kankakee, Mason, Logan, Will, Marshall, Kane, Pike, Carroll and Woodford.

2) Pumpkins are grown mainly for processing. Only a small percentage is grown to sell as an ornament through markets, farmers' fairs or vegetable gardens where people harvest the pumpkins they will buy.

3) Between 90 and 95% of processed pumpkins in the United States are grown in Illinois.
Pumpkin seeds can be toasted and eaten as an appetizer.
Pumpkins contain potassium and vitamin A.

4) Pumpkins are used to feed the animals.
Pumpkin flowers are edible.

5) The largest known pumpkin pie measured more than five feet in diameter and weighed more than 350 pounds. To make it, they used 80 pounds of pumpkin purée, 36 pounds of sugar, 12 dozen eggs and took six hours of oven.

6) Pumpkins are members of the Cucurbitaceae family.
Pumpkins are native to Central America.

7) In colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the mass of the cakes, not for the filling.
Before, it was recommended to use pumpkins to erase freckles and to cure vipers' bites.

8) The weight of pumpkins ranges from less than one pound to more than 1000 pounds.

9) The largest known pumpkin weighed weighed 1140 pounds.
The name pumpkin (pumpkin in English) derives from pepon - Greek term to describe a large melon.

10) Pumpkins are made up of ninety percent water.
The pumpkin is a fruit.

11) In the United States, eighty percent of pumpkins are available in the month of October.

12) In the colonial era, the American Indians toasted long strips of pumpkins on the fire.

13) The colonists cut the upper part of the pumpkins, removed the seeds and filled the inside with milk, spices and honey. Afterwards, the pumpkins were cooked on hot ashes, so the pumpkin pie emerged.

14) The American Indians flattened strips of pumpkins, dried them and made doormats.

15) The Indians called the pumpkins isqoutm squash.

16) American Indians used the seeds of pumpkins as food and medicine.

17) Pumpkins can be used for soups, cakes and breads


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THE IMPORTANCE OF PUMPKIN SEEDS

Pumpkin seeds could be a great ally in case of depression and insomnia, as they help us improve mood and promote the production of serotonin

Have you ever imagined that pumpkin seeds, which were normally thrown away, could have so many benefits for our body?

The roasted pumpkin seeds have a soft and sweet taste - similar to the nut - with a chewy texture, but most importantly, they are one of the most nutritious seeds that exist. In some places they are also known as "nuggets" and are dark green. Some of these seeds are covered by a yellow and white shell.

How are they consumed?

Normally pumpkin seeds are removed and boiled in water and salt. They are then placed in the oven to be roasted. Once toasted, they can be eaten directly as well or used for other recipes, although they are equally delicious anyway.


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