"Smologies #29: PUMPKINS with Anne Copeland" features Anne Copeland, author and human delight, who passionately explores the folklore, history, planting, care, and cooking of pumpkins. From creation myths to medicinal properties, Anne reveals the pumpkin's secrets. The podcast dives into the origins and traditions of Jack-o'-lanterns, the distinction between pumpkins and gourds, and offers carving tips. Discover the fascinating world of pumpkins in this entertaining and informative episode of "Ologies with Alie Ward."
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Quick takeaways
Pumpkins have a rich history and are associated with cultural celebrations and symbolic meanings.
Pumpkins require specific conditions for optimal growth and come in a variety of sizes and textures.
Deep dives
Varieties of Pumpkins and Cucurbits
Pumpkins come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. There are pumpkin varieties like kabocha that are small, green with stripes, and are often used in tempura dishes. Pumpkins are not technically fruits or vegetables, but rather berries. They are fleshy, seeded fruits formed from a single flower containing one ovary. Other related berries include cucumbers, avocados, bananas, and eggplants. Pumpkins have a rich history and have been grown in various parts of the world for centuries.
The Art and Symbolism of Pumpkins
Pumpkins hold a special place in folklore and culture. They are associated with celebrations like Halloween and have symbolic meanings. In certain cultures, pumpkins have been used to ward off evil spirits or as carriages, as in the case of Cinderella. They have been associated with myths and creation stories, with some cultures believing that humanity originated from a pumpkin. Pumpkin carving is a popular tradition, but some people choose to paint pumpkins instead of carving them, appreciating them as decorative objects. Pumpkins are also used in various art forms and have unique aesthetic qualities.
Growing and Selecting Pumpkins
Pumpkins require specific conditions for optimal growth. They need ample space to spread their vines and prefer well-drained soil. Pumpkins come in different sizes, shapes, and textures, ranging from smooth-skinned pumpkins to those with warts and bumps. Selecting a pumpkin for decorative purposes often comes down to personal intuition and attraction, while cooking pumpkins are chosen based on the darker green stem and orange skin, indicating ripeness. The sound made when thumping a pumpkin can also indicate its quality, with a hollow, echoey sound suggesting a well-picked pumpkin. Additionally, there are miniature pumpkins specifically bred to be small, decorative, and long-lasting.
PUMPKIN PUMPKIN! Not only a thing to scream while passing a patch, but also the name of the book by author and human delight Anne Copeland. Yes, she's so charmed by pumpkins that she dedicated a whole book to exploring their folklore, history, planting protocol, care, and cooking. Alie stops by her house in the rural hamlet of Yucaipa, California to chat about everything from creation myths surrounding pumpkins to the secret medicinal properties of pipitas, loving pumpkins (warts and all), and the big flimflam Anne needs the world to know about the pumpkin origin story. Also: who is Jack and why does he have a lantern?