Pumpkin : The Halloween Connection

The Halloween connection to pumpkins has nothing to do with it being evil or a dangerous food, so you can consume it with ease. Happy now!.

History

Pumpkins are popular food commodity of Native American Indians. The Europeans spread them around the world due to their extensive travelling. They find a special mention in Mexican cuisines. Even in India the unbeatable combo of poori - cooked pumpkin vegetable is prevalent and extremely popular. The leading producers of pumpkin today are USA, Mexico, India and China.

From the botanical perspective

Pumpkins (Cucurbita maxima) belong to the gird or cucurbitaceae family. They belong to the family of cucumbers, cantaloupe, melons and squash.

They are green from the exterior and yellow form inside. Soft, chewy and juicy they are generally eaten in the cooked form.

Not having a taste of its own they can be used in the salted form or sweet form.

Pumpkin, raw

The nutritional values of "Pumpkin, raw" per 100 grams are:

Nutrition Summary
Total Calories	26
Protein	1 g
Fat	0.4 g
Carbohydrate	6.5 g

Nutrients	Amount	%Daily Value
Calcium, Ca	21 mg	2.1 %
Copper, Cu	0.13 mg	6.35 %
Iron, Fe	0.8 mg	4.44 %
Magnesium, Mg	12 mg	3 %
Manganese, Mn	0.12 mg	6.25 %
Phosphorus, P	44 mg	4.4 %
Potassium, K	340 mg	9.71 %
Selenium, Se	0.3 mcg	0.43 %
Sodium, Na	1 mg	0.04 %
Zinc, Zn	0.32 mg	2.13 %
Vitamin A	8513 IU	170.26 %
Vitamin C	9 mg	15 %
Vitamin B6	0.06 mg	3.05 %
Vitamin E	1.06 mg	3.53 %
Vitamin K	1.1 mcg	1.38 %
Riboflavin	0.11 mg	6.47 %
Thiamin	0.05 mg	3.33 %
Folate, DFE	16 mcg	4 %
Niacin	0.6 mg	3 %
Sugars	2.76 g
Fiber	0.5 g	2 %
Cholesterol	0 mg	0 %
Water	91.6 g
Carotene, alpha	4016 mcg
Carotene, beta	3100 mcg
Choline	8.2 mg
Lycopene	0 mcg
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