Pumpkins inside and out

Pictured above: A pumpkin patch that would be seen in
modern times during the Autumn season. 

Pictured above: Native species of pumpkin
and squash used by native Americans from
prehistoric to colonial times. 

Traditions, holidays, and even food have been changed and introduced since the birth of this great country. Alfredo sauce is not a traditional Italian recipe and Canadian bacon pizza is not from Canada; both were invented in America. Our country seems to take parts from other cultures and mixes them together, forming our own unique culture. The use of pumpkins is a perfect example.
Pumpkins originated from Central America but were used by many different native tribes on the North American continent later on. Native Americans had many uses for pumpkins, in fact all parts of the round orange plant were salvaged for use. No records have indicated that the indigenous people of America carved scary faces into the pumpkins, that came later on.
The Irish, Scottish, and English people originally carved from turnips, potatoes, and beats. When they arrived to America, they discovered the pumpkin was perfect for carving "Jack's" lanterns.

Pictured above: A turnip carving similar
to the carvings done by the Celtic before
coming to America. 

Pictured above: A pumpkin pie
similar to the method
of preparation Pilgrims used.

Now we can fast forward a month to the next holiday. When imagining what the first Thanksgiving feast was like, we often imagine something similar to our modern day celebration. The object of Thanksgiving is still the same, but many details of the food aspect have changed and evolved over time. Take the pumpkin pie for example; the original version was prepared much differently and didn't even resemble a pie. The Pilgrims cut the top off of the pumpkin, scooped the seeds out, and filled the inside with cream, honey, eggs, and spices. They replaced the top of the pumpkin and buried it underneath hot ashes. When the pumpkin was darkened, they ate the the custard-like content inside.
Pumpkins may be a simple detail to the holidays we all know and love, but Halloween and Thanksgiving would be much different without them.