Talk:Pumpkin

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Contents

[edit] Improving quality/Organization

  • I would like to help try to improve this article over the next couple of days. One thing to make this fit into the Plants WikiProject, think we should follow the "Plants" template found at *[1]

1. Description 2. Taxonomy 3. Distribution and Habitation 4. Ecology 5. Cultivation 6. Uses 7. History 8. References

Stringfield (talk) 06:29, 28 November 2007 (UTC)Stringfield

  • I think there is a lot of good information under the "trivia" banner. Can someone elaborate on some of these bullets and put them into one of the eight appropriate categories listed above?
  • I have not found any information for category 2 above. Does anyone have a reference where we can find this info?
  • I think someone who has more knowledge of the subject could clean-up the phrase (now found under "Cultivation" above the picture) "An opportunistic fungus is also sometimes blamed for abortions"

Stringfield (talk) 06:50, 28 November 2007 (UTC)Stringfield

[edit] Intro and Description Discussion

The first sentence "Pumpkins are the life to many species." is clumsy and unclear to me, I would eliminate it. "

How about changing the first paragraph to:

"Pumpkins are the fruits of annual herbacious plants commonly used as food and to create lantern-type decorations for autumn celebrations such as Halloween. Pumpkins belong to the group of gourds/squashes considered "hard" or "winter" as they are harvested when fully mature and possesing a hard rind that allows them to be stored without spoilage for some time."

-at this point i would mention the fact that this summer/winter, soft/hard zucchini (summer)/marrow (mature "winter" of the same squash??? -help me, i'm from the states) classification differences exist and note who calls what which name and where, etc. i first learned of this right here on the talk page and find it fascinating. let's not pretend that one name is more "correct" than any other, but rather include all the information as part of the cultural history of this plant.

i would eliminate the rest of the current opening paragraph:

"Pumpkins are large squash-like gourds filled with omniousian, or stringy, slimy goop. Before being cut and ripened these plants are home to many organisms. Rare pumpkins that have been recently discovered have been studied for citric acid poisening. In my professional opinion, the citric acid poisening is nothing to be worried about and its probably a mistake in the maximus laboratory opolisieum test."

what is the stuff about "citric acid poisoning"??? a vitamin C overdose? is true it does not merit mention in the introduction, but later -it seems uncited anyway. "home to many organisms"??? such as bacteria on the skin? bugs? take it out or clarify and state later in the article please. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.57.67.143 (talk) 06:05, 29 May 2008 (UTC)


  • Using three encyclopedias, I have updated the first sentence so it should be a little clearer.

144.92.242.47 (talk) 04:47, 29 November 2007 (UTC)Stringfield

  • Please do not change cited information without providing new citations!

Stringfield 20:37, 1 December 2007 (UTC)Stringfield

The first sentence describes pumkins as being orange but a later sentance says it can vary in color. This is not consistent. I'm not sure how to change it appropriately. Liblamb 05:12, 21 Nov 2004 (UTC)

How about:

A pumpkin is a gourd (Cucurbitaceae), most commonly orange in colour that grows from a trailing vine, and is traditionally used in pies or in carving Jack o'lanterns for use as part of Halloween celebrations.

BCKILLa 12:30, 21 Nov 2004 (UTC)

I've never seen an orange pumpkin like those in the picture in New Zealand. Is it accurate that most pumpkins are orange, though? I would think the majority of them would be grown in the US, UK and Europe, so I really wouldn't know. It should be noted that they are also grown in other countries besides those listed, though, so I've altered the text there slightly. Richard001 07:30, 25 April 2006 (UTC)

In North American English, the term is almost entirely reserved for the round, orange ones, the rest are "squashes." The rest of the English-speaking world does not make this distinction. The statement is, therefore, true from an American/Canadian point of view, but not a British/Australian/New Zealander/etc. point of view. Sadly, most Americans/Canadians are unaware that the rest of the world doesn't know a squash from a pumpkin, and most other English-speakers are unaware that few Americans/Canadians know what a "marrow" is (most of us would call them "summer squash" or "zuchini" depending on the variety). It should, of coures be changed, but my oppinion is that the whole group of articles on the Cucurbits recquires a major rewrite, anyway. The whole thing seems to be very confusing as it is, precisely becasue of these dialectual matters. This is the Engilsh-Language Wikipedia, not the American/Canadian Wikipedia, after all. -GSwift 04:19, 15 August 2006 (UTC)
    • Interesting someone quibbles about Wikipedia should not focus on American/Canadian English... Seems to me these 2 countries represent both the largest land mass of English language and the largest number of speakers 335,000 humans versus 85,000 humans. So although anglo wiki must represent all factions, I'd say the way it is spoken by the majority of people consulting Wiki is the the one that should come first in the text. In addition, it is indigenous to the North America, so everywhere else may want to use their own words for it, but the standard is nonetheless the N.American version... However I AGREE THAT SQUASH AND PUMPKIN NEED TO BE REWRITTEN, ACTUALLY THEY SHOULD BE MERGED AS THEY ARE DEALING WITH THE EXACT SAME FOUR SPECIES, AND ARE DIFFERENCIATED ONLY BY DIALECT.--Tallard 20:50, 7 September 2007 (UTC)

What I think needs to be made clearer is the fact that people don't distinguish between squash and pumpkin. Although it is mentioned, I feel that the fact really needs to be spelled out shoved down our throats. And the pumpkin dishes of America are vastly different to the pumpkin dishes of Australia. From the people I talk to from multiple countries, it doesn't seem to be common knowledge, which often leads to misunderstandings. 25 February, 2008

[edit] List of Pumpkin Festivals and List of Pumpkin Queens

Hello! If anybody is willing to start some pages or articles on other pumpkin festival shows, I have oodles of infor you can add, especially concerning the pumpkin queens, in fact how about someone creat an article called List of Pumpkin Queens? I think only registered users can create articles, otherwise i would, but here's some infor you can use:

List of Pumpkin Queens

Confluence PumpkinFest, 2003-2006: Confluence PumpkinFest Queens 2003: Queen Linette 2004: Queen 2005: Queen Autumn 2006: Queen Ashley

Huntsburg Pumpkin Festival, 2006: Huntsburg Pumpkin Festival Queens 2006: Queen

The Barnesville Pumpkin Festival, 1964-2006: Barnesville Pumpkin Festival Queens 1950s: Queen 1999: Queen Martha McAnlis 2001: Queen 2002: Queen 2003: Queen 2004: Queen Wood 2005: Queen Beverly Plumly 2006: Queen Emily Jo Rockwell

The Bradford Pumpkin Show, -2006: Miss Pumpkin Queens 2006: Queen

The Circleville Pumpkin Show, 1903-2007: Miss Pumpkin Show Queens 1933: Queen Lucille Heise 1934: Queen Eleanor Anderson 1935: Queen Anne Thatcher 1936: Queen Dolly Riffle 1937: Queen Thelma Pyle 1938: Queen Ruth Fitch 1939: Queen Kathryn Martin 1940: Queen Gloria Wilson 1941: Queen DonnaMae McCune 1944: Queen Mildred Frazier 1945: Queen Pearl Roese 1946: Queen Patricia Love 1947: Queen Mary Woods 1948: Queen Beverly Huston 1949: Queen Patty Moats 1950: Queen Yvonne Flannery 1951: Queen Charlene Jackson 1952: Queen Wilma Jean Wilkinson 1953: Queen Ruth Ann Valentine 1954: Queen Judy Walters 1955: Queen Virginia Reisinger 1956: Queen Eleanor Aldenderfer 1957: Queen Joann Graves 1958: Queen Joy Maughmer 1959: Queen Vivian Gifford 1960: Queen Peggy Clark 1961: Queen Carol Torchick 1962: Queen Barbara Davis 1963: Queen Page Miller 1964: Queen Shauna Humphrey 1965: Queen Debbie Ankrom 1966: Queen Pat Dawley 1967: Queen Janet Collins 1968: Queen Peggy Mayo 1969: Queen Vivian Sheets 1970: Queen Venessa Hatfiled 1971: Queen Cheryl Miller 1972: Queen Kathy Uland 1973: Queen Kimberly Timberlake 1974: Queen Laurie May 1975: Queen Salley Schlegler 1976: Queen Cindy Gifford 1977: Queen Karen Cochran 1978: Queen Carol Moore 1979: Queen Mary Kay Marshall 1980: Queen Mona Southern 1981: Queen Deidre Vancamp 1982: Queen Brenda Myers 1983: Queen Stephanie Timbrook 1984: Queen Sandy Haddox 1985: Queen Shonna Thompson 1986: Queen Rhonda Lambert 1987: Queen Lorie Hendrickson 1988: Queen Christina Brunning 1989: Queen Dierdre Conley 1990: Queen Tara Harrison 1991: Queen Dawnaka Overly 1992: Queen Carrie Bialy 1993: Queen Sabrina Miller 1994: Queen Leah Coey 1995: Queen Jaymie Hoops 1996: Queen Lindsey Logan 1997: Queen Tia Marie Jean 1998: Queen Shannon Stowers 1999: Queen Courtney Vickers 2000: Queen Makiah Maxson 2001: Queen Kacy Walton 2002: Queen Katy Ankrom 2003: Queen MaLeah Thornton 2004: Queen Samantha Vinkovich 2005: Queen Courtney Congrove 2006: Queen

The Spring Hope National Pumpkin Festival, 1971-2006: Miss Pumpkin Queens 2005: Queen Heather Brantley 2006: Queen Laura Brantley

The West Virginia Pumpkin Festival, 1985-2006: West Virginia Pumpkin Festival Queens 2005: Queen Jennifer Gooch 2006: Queen Bethany Christian

Tioga Pumpkin Festival, 2006: Tioga Pumpkin Festival Queens 2006: Queen Nicole Ink

Anyway, as you can see there are enough Pumpkin Festivals with traditions going back decades to make such an article seem justifiable and considering all of the list of winners, rulers, title holders, etc. distributed throughout Wikipedia, I don't think one listing Pumpkin Queens would be unwelcome. If someone with more Wikipedia article creating knowledge would be kind enough to get a page or so started, I'd be happy to contribute as much information as I can. Cheers! (A pumpkin king of sorts!) :)

--172.128.86.250 21:09, 9 October 2006 (UTC) --172.128.86.250 21:14, 9 October 2006 (UTC)

As I posted elsewhere, these are excellent ideas that really should happen. Hopefully some registered user will get the ball rolling. I'd be glad to contribute whenever possible! Cheers, --164.107.92.120 02:37, 11 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Apocolocynposis

Can anyone verify the meaning of Apocolocynposis from a reputable source? I can't find it in any dictionary. Google search finds some hits but nothing worth believing. Liblamb 16:48, 3 Dec 2004 (UTC)

I found a couple of sites, how reliable I can't exactly say:
1. Great Pumpkins
Nov 2004
...vegetables! Technically, so are cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers. There's a word for the fear of turning into a pumpkin: apocolocynposis.
http://wwwriverdeep.net/current/2001/10/102201t_pumpkins.jhtml
2. Life: How much do you really know
May 2001
...grown? 5. How many seeds does an average pumpkin contain? 6. What do humans and pumpkins have in common? 7. What does apocolocynposis mean? 8. When is national pumpkin pie day? 9. How many pounds was the largest pumpkin pie ever baked? 10. Where did...
http://science.northern.edu/exponent/archive/2000/1025/life/1005-quiz.htm
I do not find these two sources 'reputable'. In both the word appears in a 'fun context'. As long as no one is able to find a 'reputable source' - and I am somehow sure of this - we should erase 'apocolocynposis'. Anyone opposing?
Agree, it should be erased. Liblamb 22:57, 7 Dec 2004 (UTC)
Done. Besserwissi 00:36, 8 Dec 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Pumpkin trivia (disputed)

I'm skeptical of claims in the Pumpkin trivia section. Some seem plausible, but they overall lacks references. Many of the claims seem outrageous, or at the very least need qualification. I would be more surprised if 90% of pumpkins sold worldwide were used for jack-o-lanterns; the use of pumpkin outside of the USA is primarily as a food.

The claim about the largest pumpkin also seems outrageous, but there are some interesting photographs that appear to support the claim.

If anyone has any referneces for the other claims in the trivia section, I'd very much appreciate them.

--PJF (talk) 21:49, 23 Mar 2005 (UTC)

I find the use of a pumpkin as a guide for haircutting a bit unlikely, myself, for numerous reasons. Unbelievably huge record pumpkins are not surprising, however: http://www.pumpkinnook.com/giants/record.htm . Gzuckier 22:21, 23 Mar 2005 (UTC)
It seems I've been shielded from the world of giant pumpkins for too long. Like giant squid, and giant aquatic woodlice, it seems that giant vegetables also exist. I'm sure they're very good if you want to make a lot of pumpkin soup.  ;)
I've also been sheltered from jack-o-lanterns. At least in Australia, over 90% of pumpkins sold are used for food. I don't know if the 90% for jack-o-lanterns figure is plausible or not.
We do have references for the Illinois claim, and for the biggest pumpkin. The colouration seems plausible (carotene is orange), as is the botanically a fruit claim. That leaves the Celtic customs, Keene with the most `lit pumpkins' (lit jack-o-lanterns?), and the haircuts.
It would be good to have referneces for everything if possible, even for the plausible things like the colouration. As this discussion shows, what may be entirely plausible to one person (eg, giant pumpkins, or 90% of sales for jack-o-lanterns), can sound outrageous to someone with a different cultural background.
--PJF (talk) 06:08, 24 Mar 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Pumpkins and squashes

Both this article and squash describe the same species:

  1. A pumpkin is the fruit of the gourd Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita mixta, or Cucurbita moschata....
  2. Squashes are four species of the genus Cucurbita, also called pumpkins and marrows depending on variety or the nationality of the speaker.

Shouldn't they be merged then?

A-giau 22:20, 25 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I'd say no.Gene Nygaard 01:56, 26 Apr 2005 (UTC)
Would you like to elaborate? — Pekinensis 18:11, 30 Apr 2005 (UTC)
depends on how big the articles get. Pumpkins are certainly a subset of the group, but they do have their own distinct nature and uses, etc. Gzuckier 21:41, 30 Apr 2005 (UTC)
I'd say yes, unless the articles can explain the difference via an authoritative source. Melchoir 03:10, 17 May 2006 (UTC)
I'd also say no - as Gzuckier said, they are distinctive in their uses, and commonly regarded as a separate type of vegetable. But Melchoir's right, authoritative sources are needed. --Singkong2005 talk 02:15, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
I'd say probably yes. It's mostly North Americans who distinguish between pumpkins and squashes. I would favor having one article for the pumpikns/winter squashes and another for the marrows/summer squashes. That way, they really would be organized based on use, while making it easier to explain the dialectual differences. Organizing based on species would be a messs, unless we did one big article for the whole group - some varieties in any one species are summer and some are winter (this is especially true of C. pepo). -GSwift 18:35, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Hoax

    • In colonial New Haven, Connecticut, cut pumpkins were used as guides for haircuts to ensure a round, uniform style. Because of this fashion, New Englanders were nicknamed "pumpkin-heads." Anyone who thinks this is true may move it right back into the article. --Wetman 03:35, 20 May 2005 (UTC)
      • If one were that way inclined, I cannot for the life of me imagine why you would use a pumpkin rather than a bowl. The one thing a pumpkin isn't, is round and uniform. Plus, if you've ever been inside one, it's not a place where you want to stick your head. Gzuckier 03:44, 20 May 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Native to Western Hemisphere?

There's an amusing ancient Korean folktale of a flatulent "General Pumpkin". If pumpkins are native to the Western Hemisphere, how can this be?

The pumpkin in the story is most likely a variety of squash that resembles a pumpkin, such as a kabocha. Pumpkins are native to the Western hemisphere, but it probably just got translated as pumpkin anyway. I am Girl 03:04, 23 September 2006 (UTC)


[edit] Is it a fruit or a vegatable?

The article starts off with

A pumpkin is a gourd (Cucurbitaceae), most commonly orange in colour when ripe, that grows as a fruit

But in the see also section it's only link is "List of Vegatables", where, sure enough the pumpkin is listed as a vegetable.

So which is it? a fruit or vegetable - some consistency would be nice.

As has been stated before, "vegetable" is a culinary term and refers to how it is eaten, "fruit" is a botanical term for a certain plant part but which can also have a culinary meaning. There is no contradiction in calling a fruit (botanical) a vegetable (culinary). -- WormRunner | Talk 22:02, 1 November 2005 (UTC)
Added a sentence to that effect in intro. --Singkong2005 talk 02:36, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Varieties

I've added some links re varieties. It appears likely that many varieties either use different names in different countries, or are only available in certain countries; perhaps there are very similar varieties in different countries, but the names might give no indication. A problem if you want a particular type for a recipe. Thus links that list varieties by species (and also describe them) are particularly valuable... though it's only a partial solution, as varieties of each species can vary widely.

Looks like a Japanese pumpkin
Looks like a Japanese pumpkin

Re Japanese pumpkin (which have become popular in Australia - small and sweet, also called Ken's Special or Kent, which is actually a particular type of Japanese pumpkin...) They are sometimes referred to as "Cucurbita moschata and Cucurbita maxima" which is confusing... The page Kabocha and Japanese Pumpkin in Australia seems to explain it - the common high-yielding variety is a hybrid between two varieties from Japan. --Singkong2005 talk 02:31, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Native to Western Hemisphere?

This is stated as fact, yet research tends to indicate this to be disputed. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, for instance, states that pumpkins have been cultivated so long that their wild origins are "unkown," and leaves open the possibility of an Asiatic origin.

There seem to be two schools of thought: the one suggests an American origin, while the other suggests an Asiatic origin, followed by a prehistoric introduction to the Americas (or perhaps being native to both). Pumpkins/squashes are known to have been in cultivated in Pre-Columbian America; however, conventional European thought (before the mid-XX century, anyway) appears to have always regarded them as Asian in origin, and already found in Europe before the discovery of America. John Gerard quite notably does not refer to "pompions" in general as American in origin (which would be odd so soon [1597] after their supposed introduction to Europe), rather he notes specific American varieties after the varieties which he notes to be common in Europe. Furthermore, rather than a novelty, as with most American species, Gerard considers pumpkins ubiquitous, which seems unlikely to have occurred in scarcely a hundred years.

The opposing view writes off earlier refferences to "pepo" and "melopepo" as meaning a sort of large melon, but this is unsure, as even Gerard (himself clearly reffering to our C. pepo and C. maxima) considers them a type of melon, and clearly believes these species to be none other than the those of the ancients. Other herbalists of the XVI century provide similar evidence. Mrs. Grieve's 1930's A Modern Herbal, discusses pumpkins in the section on melons, and indicates that the terms "melon" and "pumpkin" were still occasionally considered interchangeable even in early XX century Britain.

Now, I know most of this comes from herbals, not the neccesarily best source for scientific data, but these specific examples do provide linguistic and historical evidence tending to run counter to the theory of pumpkins being indigenous solely to the Americas. Coupled with the statements of another encyclopedia on the subject, I think it's reason enough to consider noting that there is no certainty as to the origins of these species, rather than endorsing a specific theory. Sorry being so long-winded. Anyone else have thoughts on this? -GSwift 04:02, 15 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] On merging calabaza

Not a good idea... calabaza is a variety of winter squash (there are many), and should be left separate. --SB_Johnny|talk|books 09:16, 16 September 2006 (UTC)

  • It almost seems like "Calabaza" is simply the Spanish word for "pumpkin". Is this not the case? Or is the English "Calabaza" not the same as the Spanish "Calabaza"? --greenmoss 02:21, 18 September 2006 (UTC)
  • "Calabaza" seems to be the Latin American term for pumpkins in general. In English, it would appear to refer to a specific variety (or group of varieties) of what would be called a "winter squash" in North America. However, in British/Commonwealth English, (as in Spanish) there is no distinction between "pumpkin" and "winter squash." "Squash" is a North-Americanism. IMHO, rather than simply merging "Calabaza" into "Pumpkin," we should re-organize the whole group of articles on pumpkins/squashes/marrows to use geographically nuetral language. From comments on various of the articles, it would appear that the articles as they are can be very confusing to non-North Americans. Given that pumpkins/squash are grown all over the English-speaking world, shouldn't we try to find a way to use more neutral terminology? -GSwift 21:40, 24 September 2006 (UTC)
  • Not a good idea. And GSwift's idea isn't any better. The existing calabaza article is something distinct from a pumpkin. If some do not make a distinction, that isn't a "neutral terminology" problem. That's something to be dealt with using appropriate links, disambiguation lines and pages, and redirects. Gene Nygaard 05:35, 24 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Pumpkin festival links

These really don't belong on the article, as they're links to local events and therefore aren't of global interest (and so we'd probably have to list every pumkin fest in the world to justify them, which would make the article a linkfarm).

Recent edit comments on the article seem to be demanding that "someone make a pumpkin festival article". If someone wants to make an article on Pumpkin festivals, just go ahead and make it by clicking on that red link. However, even that article would have to be about pumpkin festivals in general, not a list of links to pumpkin festival websites. --SB_Johnny|talk|books 17:36, 12 October 2006 (UTC)

I clicked on the red link, but got "article not found."--24.154.173.243 00:35, 13 October 2006 (UTC)
Thanks Johnny, I would suggest a section in this article rather than a separate article. Also, if someone does do this, it is important that the information is encylopedic in nature, and not an excuse to add a load of links. Martin 17:43, 12 October 2006 (UTC)
Well, if anyone does make a link or a section, which I'm all for, I'm also willing to add content and not just links. There are maybe a half dozen or so main festivals that have been around for a decades that could be each worthy of their own articles. Circleville, for example, already has a separate article, but Barnesville, Bradford, and a few others which have tens of thousands of attendees and have been around for decades could be worthy as well. --24.154.173.243 00:35, 13 October 2006 (UTC)
Hello, I resolved the dispute by registering as a user and creating a separate page on Pumpkin Queens. I'm still working on fleshing out the information, but I provided lots of references and lists of the major pumpkin show/festival queens. Because some of these pageants go back even further than the WWE Heavyweight Championship title (which of course has a list on Wikipedia), I believe that it is legitimate enough to have such lists. I hope this helps! Sincerely, --Le Grand Roi des Citrouilles 16:39, 13 October 2006 (UTC)
Fantastic! I think Le Grand Roi has taken the right approach and although still a work in progress, the new article looks fantastic and is an agreeably helpful, fun, informative, and well-referenced contribution. I think it's safe to say the protection tag is no longer needed! Cheers, --24.154.173.243 00:51, 14 October 2006 (UTC)
The new page is wonderful and definitely a great start. I have no qualms about not re-adding those links to the pumpkin article, as the separate article on pumpkin queens is an excellent solution and does indeed provide sound references and enough information already to be justified. I think it's fair to say that the pumpkin page no longer needs protection as the dispute is resolved and I'm not going to re-add the links back to that article. Regards, --164.107.92.120 20:02, 15 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] variabfuckule ?

The first paragraph contains:

The rind is smooth and variabfuckule in colour.

is that supposed to be variable?

Random vandalism. Please correct Artoftransformation 02:06, 2 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] 67.186.66.19

The information entered by 67.186.66.19 seems a bit odd, can some expert verify that? --Cyktsui 00:15, 2 November 2006 (UTC)

Thanks for the watchfull eye. Can you refer to the speficic change? Since this article is getting vandalized a lot, I am recommending it get locked. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Artoftransformation (talk • contribs) 03:23, 2 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Pumpkin pudding? hahahaha

When you pour milk in a pumpkin and bake it, it makes pudding.

Is that even remotely true? Can someone clarify it? I'll look around... Alexforcefive 00:29, 26 November 2006 (UTC)

It is NOT EVEN REMOTELY TRUE. You end up with a nice mess to clean up. (and a horribly dirty oven!)
Pudding by nature, especially pumpkin pudding, involves removal of the fiber, through cheese cloth, and the adding of sugar. Artoftransformation 02:08, 2 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Removal of Spam Tag

I did a cleanup of the external links section and removed the spam tag. Only removed 2 links, one required registration, the other linked to a game. These edits are in line with WP:EL, if you have any questions please contact me on my talk page. Thanks! and happy editing. -- eLeigh33 17:33, 17 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Primary documentation requested

Can anyone provide primary documentation of the following claims in this article:

  • Halloween marked the end of the Celtic year
No. End of Celtic year is the last sliver of a waining moon. Celtic year begins with a new moon. [[2]] Umm... Please do not mention that I used a wicca source for this. ( there are also pictoral links on the page that prove their point ). Um, I am finding more information about this, Apprenetly, the last day of the Celtic Calendar falls on the day before Samhain, but there is now a controversy about the Celtic Calendar ending in the festival of Samhain ( basically November by the lunar calendar ), and the Celtic New year beginning in the festival of Sambain, which... lasts... three... days. Go Figure. Artoftransformation 03:03, 2 November 2007 (UTC)
Please see Samhain and Coligny_Calendar and Talk:Samhain
Samhain lists the end of the Celtic year as November 1st, and the Beginning October 31st.
  • The ancient Celts carved vegetable lanterns for Halloween and put them on windowsills and porches
No. Started with the modern Irish:

" On All Hallow’s Eve, the Irish hollowed out turnips, rutabagas, gourds, potatoes and even beets to honor the legend."

[[http://www.ingestandimbibe.com/Articles/pumpkin.html The Pumpkin: Gourd of Gourds and King of All Things Halloween by Marjorie Dorfman]]

  • The tradition of carving vegetable lanterns was brought to America by the Irish.
YES! ibid. Artoftransformation 02:20, 2 November 2007 (UTC)

A lot of modern histories of Halloween make these claims, without a shred of primary documentation, i.e., a pre-modern original source. — Walloon 02:54, 20 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds

Lead on health benefits.

Pumpkin seeds are known for many things, that are found on the site below...

Benefits fo Pumpkin Seeds

In addition these pumpkin seeds are great as an anti-biotic, or antiparasite, as well as a great source of fiber for cleansing the system.

Highly ignored, suggest the site be expanded for this.

--Caesar J. B. Squitti  : Son of Maryann Rosso and Arthur Natale Squitti 18:33, 12 October 2007 (UTC)


Here is a link for parasites.

Pumpkin seeds for parasites

--Caesar J. B. Squitti  : Son of Maryann Rosso and Arthur Natale Squitti 18:37, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Seeds - unhulled vs. hulled

The article states that unhulled or "semi-hulled" pumpkin seeds may be roasted and enjoyed as a snack. However, I always roast them hulled and eat them with the hulls. I believe others do this as well and suggest this be added to the article. What does "semi-hulled" mean? Badagnani 06:15, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

Unhulled? semi-hulled? What is this? I have NEVER seen nor eaten unhulled or semi-hulled pumpkin seeds. Hulled and roasted with a bit of salt. --Artoftransformation 01:59, 2 November 2007 (UTC)
We always cook and eat them unhulled. The Jade Knight 12:23, 2 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Nastalja link

If you search for wikipedia pumpikn, you find this link: http://nostalgia.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpkin which says: "This page was last modified 17:55, 8 October 2001." and "A pumpkin is an orange gourd (Cucurbitaceae) growing from a trailing vine, commonly used in pies or in carving Jack o'lanterns for use as part of Halloween celebrations."

Hehe! --Artoftransformation 01:59, 2 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Queensland blue

The Queensland blue pumpkin (Australian blue squash) should be mentioned in the article. Badagnani (talk) 07:54, 10 February 2008 (UTC)