HALLOWEEN
THE POWER OF THE PUMPKIN CONT .
Although the most supernatural time of the year , there is an earthy element of wholesomeness that comes with Halloween . A much-loved tradition that never seemed to leave our shores , that is of course , pumpkin carving . Again thought by some to be of American origin , the original Jack O ’ Lantern were actually carved out of turnips in the UK and Ireland . “ Preparations for Halloween in the past involved carving ghastly faces into turnips , to make them resemble demons and devils ,” explains English Heritage . “ Burning candles were placed into the hollows and the glowing faces were not only reminders of death , but were also used to scare nasty neighbours ! These shining turnips were called ‘ punkies ’ and ‘ Jack O ’ Lanterns ’ and were named after ghostly lights rumoured to be seen in marshes and bogs that were believed to be the spirits of the dead .”
However , one twist the USA did add to the tradition of the Jack O ’ Lantern was using pumpkins instead . Much softer , bigger and easier to carve than turnips , pumpkins also grow in abundance at this time of year in America . A member of the squash family and thought to have originated from Mexico , pumpkins are one of the oldest domesticated plants , having been used as early as 7,000 to 5,500 BC . It is no wonder they have lasted so long either , cooked up just right , they make a mighty pie , taste great roasted or stuffed , and turn into a fabulous soup , as seen at the end of this piece .
That ’ s right , the power of the pumpkin goes far beyond that of warding off evil spirits and nasty neighbours . When eaten , the health benefits of the pumpkin come in abundance , with just three heaped tablespoons of diced , cooked pumpkin acting as one of our five-a-day . Packed with skin friendly nutrients , including beta-carotene and vitamins E and C , pumpkins are thought to work wonders for our skin . Not naturally made by the body , vitamin C plays a part in the formation of collagen , which keeps our skin firm and plump , while also contributing to immune activity and increasing white blood cells . Whereas vitamin E is an excellent antioxidant that works alongside vitamin C to help protect against
sun damage and dryness and beta-carotene is involved in skin protection from the sun ’ s UVB rays .
Beta-carotene , as well as vitamins C and E , also helps protect eyes and reduce the risk of age-related eye diseases . Pumpkin is also an excellent source of two carotenoids called lutein and zeaxanthin , levels of which have been linked to a reduced risk of cataracts . So it is not just carrots that will help us see in the dark ! However , similarly to carrots , the bright orange colour of the pumpkin indicates high levels of vitamin A , which plays an important role in promoting our immune function . A 2015 study in Japan found that diets high in carotenoids ( the pigments found in fruit and vegetables , such as the orange of a pumpkin ) may help prevent the development of ‘ metabolic syndrome ’, a combination of conditions including diabetes , obesity and high blood pressure which lead to risk of coronary heart disease and stroke . As well as this , pumpkins are rich in antioxidants making it a superfood and therefore a great all-rounder to add to your diet at this time of year .
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