Why Do We Use Pumpkins on Halloween?

Did you ever wonder how pumpkins became Did you ever wonder how pumpkins became part of Halloween? part of Halloween?

It all began with the Irish(It all began with the Irish( 愛爾蘭人愛爾蘭人 ) )

and a guy nicknamed "Stingy(and a guy nicknamed "Stingy( 吝嗇的吝嗇的 ) Jack." ) Jack."

He was a man who did a deal with the Devil He was a man who did a deal with the Devil and and

suffered(suffered( 遭受遭受 ) the eternal() the eternal( 永存的永存的 ) ) consequences(consequences( 結果結果 ). ).

According to the tradition, Jack summoned(According to the tradition, Jack summoned( 召召喚喚 ) the Devil to have a drink with him. ) the Devil to have a drink with him.

However, once it was time to pay, Jack stayed However, once it was time to pay, Jack stayed true to his nickname and refused to ante(true to his nickname and refused to ante( 拿拿出出 ) up. ) up.

In order to solve(In order to solve( 解決解決 ) the problem, the Devil ) the problem, the Devil turned himself into a coin.turned himself into a coin.

Jack put the coin (the Devil) in his pocket next Jack put the coin (the Devil) in his pocket next to a silver(to a silver( 銀銀 ) cross() cross( 十字架十字架 ) and didn't pay ) and didn't pay the bar tab (money).the bar tab (money).

Trapped(Trapped( 陷入陷阱陷入陷阱 ) in form() in form( 形式形式 ) because of ) because of the silver cross, the Devil made a deal with the silver cross, the Devil made a deal with Jack to leave him alone for the next year and Jack to leave him alone for the next year and not claim(not claim( 要求要求 ) his soul after death. At these ) his soul after death. At these words, Jack released(words, Jack released( 釋放釋放 ) the Devil.) the Devil.

Legend(Legend( 傳說傳說 ) has it that one day he finally died, ) has it that one day he finally died, Jack couldn't make into heaven because of his Jack couldn't make into heaven because of his evil(evil( 邪惡邪惡 ) deeds() deeds( 行為行為 ). However, he couldn't ). However, he couldn't go to hell either because of his prior(go to hell either because of his prior( 先前的先前的 ) ) agreement(agreement( 協議協議 ) with the Devil.) with the Devil.

As a result, he was sent off into the dark night As a result, he was sent off into the dark night with only a burning coal(with only a burning coal( 煤煤 ) to light his way. ) to light his way.

Jack put the coal into a carved(Jack put the coal into a carved( 割割 ) out turnip() out turnip(大頭菜大頭菜 ) and began to roam() and began to roam( 漫遊漫遊 ) the earth as ) the earth as a ghost.a ghost.

The Irish quit calling him "Stingy Jack" at this The Irish quit calling him "Stingy Jack" at this time and began to call him "Jack of the time and began to call him "Jack of the Lantern" or simply "Jack O' Lantern."Lantern" or simply "Jack O' Lantern."

Afraid of the ghost of "Jack O' Lantern," the Afraid of the ghost of "Jack O' Lantern," the people of Ireland and Scotland(people of Ireland and Scotland( 蘇格蘭蘇格蘭 ) began ) began to fend(to fend( 抵擋抵擋 ) off his spirit by making their ) off his spirit by making their own versions(own versions( 版本版本 ) of his lantern. They placed ) of his lantern. They placed turnips and potatoes carved with scary faces turnips and potatoes carved with scary faces in their windows or near doors to frighten(in their windows or near doors to frighten( 嚇嚇 ) ) away "Stingy Jack" and any other wandering(away "Stingy Jack" and any other wandering(流浪的流浪的 ) evil spirits. The tradition became ) evil spirits. The tradition became popular and traveled the world as immigrants(popular and traveled the world as immigrants(移民移民 ) from this area went to different places. ) from this area went to different places. Once it hit(Once it hit( 碰到碰到 ) America, it was practiced() America, it was practiced( 實實行行 ) again, but only with a popular native() again, but only with a popular native( 特有特有的的 ) fruit, the pumpkin.) fruit, the pumpkin.

Today, pumpkins are a significant(Today, pumpkins are a significant( 重要的重要的 ) part ) part of the American celebration of Halloween.of the American celebration of Halloween.

We use them more now for decoration and We use them more now for decoration and ways to livenways to liven 使活躍使活躍 up this holiday. No one up this holiday. No one speaks about "Stingy Jack" anymore, but we speaks about "Stingy Jack" anymore, but we have him to thank along with the Irish for have him to thank along with the Irish for giving us a Halloween tradition today that can giving us a Halloween tradition today that can be enjoyed by every member of the familybe enjoyed by every member of the family..

資料來源資料來源 ::

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/406411/why_we_ushttp://www.associatedcontent.com/article/406411/why_we_use_pumpkins_on_halloween.html?cat=22e_pumpkins_on_halloween.html?cat=22

感恩節的由來 In 1621, after a hard and devastating In 1621, after a hard and devastating

first year in the New World the Pilgrim's first year in the New World the Pilgrim's fall harvest was very successful and fall harvest was very successful and plentiful. There was corn, fruits, plentiful. There was corn, fruits, vegetables, along with fish which was vegetables, along with fish which was packed in salt, and meat that was packed in salt, and meat that was smoke cured over fires. They found smoke cured over fires. They found they had enough food to put away for they had enough food to put away for the winter.the winter. 感恩節的由來 ，是在西元感恩節的由來 ，是在西元 1621 1621 年，一群清教徒帶著他們的家庭，乘著五月花年，一群清教徒帶著他們的家庭，乘著五月花號船來到現在麻 薩諸塞州的普利茅斯，尋找號船來到現在麻 薩諸塞州的普利茅斯，尋找宗教自由的宗教自由的新天地新天地。不過，他們並沒有足夠的。不過，他們並沒有足夠的食物 過冬，種種的不適應讓他們之中不少人食物 過冬，種種的不適應讓他們之中不少人失去生命呢！失去生命呢！

The Pilgrims had beaten the odds. The Pilgrims had beaten the odds. They built homes in the wilderness, They built homes in the wilderness, they raised enough crops to keep they raised enough crops to keep them alive during the long coming them alive during the long coming winter, and they were at peace with winter, and they were at peace with their Indian neighbors. Their their Indian neighbors. Their Governor, William Bradford, Governor, William Bradford, proclaimed a day of thanksgiving proclaimed a day of thanksgiving that was to be shared by all the that was to be shared by all the colonists and the neighboring colonists and the neighboring Native American Indians.Native American Indians.

The custom of an annually celebrated The custom of an annually celebrated thanksgiving, held after the harvest, thanksgiving, held after the harvest, continued through the years. During continued through the years. During the American Revolution (late 1770's) a the American Revolution (late 1770's) a day of national thanksgiving was day of national thanksgiving was suggested by the Continental Congress. suggested by the Continental Congress.

春天，住在附近 的美洲春天，住在附近 的美洲原住民原住民，熱情地教這，熱情地教這些新移民但等到了種美洲的特產－玉米，也教些新移民但等到了種美洲的特產－玉米，也教他們如何狩獵 和捕魚。到了秋天時他們獲得他們如何狩獵 和捕魚。到了秋天時他們獲得大豐收，因此他們歡樂慶祝豐收，除了感謝上大豐收，因此他們歡樂慶祝豐收，除了感謝上天 賜給他們一年衣食無虞，也邀請原住民朋天 賜給他們一年衣食無虞，也邀請原住民朋友一起來慶祝，這就是第一個感恩節 。友一起來慶祝，這就是第一個感恩節 。

In 1817 New York State adopted In 1817 New York State adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom. By Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom. By the middle of the 19th century many other the middle of the 19th century many other states also celebrated a Thanksgiving Day. states also celebrated a Thanksgiving Day. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln appointed a national day of thanksgiving. appointed a national day of thanksgiving. Since then each president has issued a Since then each president has issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation, usually Thanksgiving Day proclamation, usually designating the fourth Thursday of each designating the fourth Thursday of each November as November as the holidaythe holiday.. 不過，感恩節始終都沒有固定的日子。最後直到不過，感恩節始終都沒有固定的日子。最後直到西元西元 19411941 才經過國會通過， 每年十一月第四個才經過國會通過， 每年十一月第四個星期四的為國訂感恩節假日。星期四的為國訂感恩節假日。

The composition of the pumpkin

The pumpkin is suitable for the warm weather, about 20 to 30 degrees centigrade. It can cultivate for five to six months .

The pumpkin has a lot of nutrition, containing abundant cellulose纖維 and vitamins A C . The young pumpkin has a lot of vitamins c and glucose 葡萄糖more than old pumpkin. The old pumpkin has lots of calcium 鈣 , iron and carotene ㄎㄟ ㄖ ㄊ一胡蘿蔔素 .

The pumpkin has nutrition very much, it has a lot of carotene 4mg% 、 vitamins B 0.06mg% and vitamins C 5mg% .It has 8 kinds of amine 胺 and base acid 、 fiber .

Eating more pumpkins can treat the high blood pressure , diabetes mellitus 糖尿病 and liver exhausted 肺衰竭 . It is very useful.

Pumpkin's nutrient content

1.Vitamin A2.Vitamin B13.Vitamin B2

4.Vitamin B65.Vitamin C6.Vitamin E

7.Calcium 8.Iron

9.Magnesium

10.Potassium 11.Sodium

How to make pumpkin pie?

1 9 inch pie pumpkin1 9 inch pie pumpkin

1 12oz can evaporated milk1 12oz can evaporated milk

2 large eggs2 large eggs

1 cup light brown sugar1 cup light brown sugar

1 teaspoon of ground ginger1 teaspoon of ground ginger

1 teaspoon of ground allspice1 teaspoon of ground allspice  

1 teaspoon of ground cloves1 teaspoon of ground cloves

1 teaspoon of cinnamon1 teaspoon of cinnamon

1 tablespoon of all purpose flour1 tablespoon of all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon of salt1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 deep dish pie shell1 deep dish pie shell

Preheat oven to 450 Preheat oven to 450

Prepare deep dish pie crust using your Prepare deep dish pie crust using your favorite crust recipe or store bought favorite crust recipe or store bought brand. Place pie crust into a deep dish brand. Place pie crust into a deep dish pie plate. Set aside.pie plate. Set aside.

sure to remove all stringy bits. Remove sure to remove all stringy bits. Remove stem, and cut pumpkin halves in half. stem, and cut pumpkin halves in half. Place pumpkin halves in a glass Place pumpkin halves in a glass microwave safe container. Add microwave safe container. Add approximately 2 inches of water and approximately 2 inches of water and cover with plastic wrap. cover with plastic wrap.

Microwave on high for 15 minutes. Microwave on high for 15 minutes. Check to be sure pumpkin is Check to be sure pumpkin is tender. If not continue to tender. If not continue to microwave in 5 minute increments microwave in 5 minute increments until flesh is soft. Scrap pumpkin until flesh is soft. Scrap pumpkin flesh out of the skin (skin should flesh out of the skin (skin should just peel off) and into a food just peel off) and into a food processor or blender and puree. processor or blender and puree. This should make approximately 3 This should make approximately 3 cups of pureed pumpkin.cups of pureed pumpkin.

Pour pumpkin puree into the bowl Pour pumpkin puree into the bowl of a stand mixer. Set mixer speed of a stand mixer. Set mixer speed on medium low and slowly pour in on medium low and slowly pour in evaporated milk. Mix until it is evaporated milk. Mix until it is incorporated. Add the eggs one at a incorporated. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each time, beating well after each addition.addition.

Add ginger, allspice, cloves, Add ginger, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Beat cinnamon, and brown sugar. Beat well until all ingredients are well until all ingredients are completely mixed. Add flour and completely mixed. Add flour and salt. Mix well. Pour mixture into a salt. Mix well. Pour mixture into a deep dish pie shell. Place deep dish pie shell. Place aluminum foil around the edges of aluminum foil around the edges of the pie to keep crust from over the pie to keep crust from over browning.browning.