Perfect Fall Pumpkins

November is here, and it is officially fall ~ the days are shorter, the air is much cooler, and the foliage has become crisp and turned vibrant shades of red and amber. Of course, we celebrate all things pumpkin and pumpkin spice! Thursday, November 27, is also Thanksgiving…it is a time for us to be thankful for what is important in our lives (our health, our friends, our families, and our loved ones).

Hello, my name is Sara, and in this blog, I will provide many fascinating and educational facts and trivia about pumpkins, including an article detailing a brief history of the pumpkin, as well as pumpkin plant growth stages. Next, there will be a few charts which illustrate pumpkin anatomy, as well as a fun and cute pumpkin rhyming song and a free printable pumpkin craft for children.

Since November 27 is Thanksgiving, I will also include an article detailing how the pumpkin became America’s favorite Thanksgiving treat, as well as a link to an article about Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation of Thanksgiving (and of course, fun Thanksgiving craft ideas for the entire family).

In addition, I will provide some incredible pumpkin recipes and a link to a beneficial website called “Eating Well,” which has been recommended by my good friend, Michelle. It contains recipes and meal plan ideas for the upcoming fall season, including those for those on special diets and those with diabetes. Lastly, there will be an extensive list of resources from our CCPL catalog.

Important Resources:

Below are fun and educational facts about pumpkins (facts are cited and linked below):

Pumpkins may look tough, but they are actually very delicate. Once bruised or pierced, organisms are quick to munch away at them.
Morton, Illinois, is the pumpkin capital of the world. Over 100 thousand tons of pumpkins are processed there each year. (Picture 50 million pies stretched across the U.S more than 32 times)!
People used to believe that pumpkins had the ability to remove freckles and cure snake bites.
Pumpkins are grown on all but one continent (Antarctica).
In 1584, when French explorer Jacques Cartier was in the St. Lawrence region, he reported that he found “gros melons.” “Pumpions” was the English translation, which eventually evolved into “pumpkin.”
Pumpkin carving originated in Ireland. The Irish used to carve turnips and potatoes until they immigrated to America and discovered pumpkins.
Native Americans used to use pumpkin seeds for food and medicine. Pumpkin strips were also dried and made into mats.
Pumpkins are a part of the gourd family–the same one cucumbers, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, watermelons, and zucchini belong to!

Website Source:

10 Fun Facts About Pumpkins | Today’s Parent

Below are even more fascinating trivia about pumpkins, courtesy of Jocelyn Brown (author of the blog, Hip Mama’s Place):

Pumpkin Trivia – 30 Fun Facts About Pumpkins You Never Knew

Below is an article courtesy of WGBH.org (a public radio station located in Boston, Massachusetts) detailing the history of pumpkins:

A Brief History Of Pumpkins

Below is an article courtesy of thespruce.com detailing the different stages of pumpkin plant growth and life cycle, from seed germination to harvest:

Pumpkin Plant Stages: How Far Along Is Your Pumpkin Plant?

Below is a detailed illustration of pumpkin anatomy ~ it is courtesy of BestFoodFacts.org and also includes 8 unique facts about pumpkins:

Website and Image Source:
Food Facts: 8 Things to Know About Pumpkins | BestFoodFacts.org

Below is a charming pumpkin song (it rhymes!) to help teach pumpkin anatomy ~ it is courtesy of Stephanie Trapp (author of the blog, Primary Theme Park):

Website and Image Source:
Parts of a Pumpkin Song | Primary Theme Park

Below is another adorable pumpkin-related activity, also from Stephanie Trapp (author of the blog, Primary Theme Park). This is a free printable pumpkin craft that teaches children the parts of a pumpkin:

Parts of a Pumpkin” (Free Printable!) Craft

Below is an article courtesy of SmithsonianMagazine.com, detailing how the beloved pumpkin went from everyday produce to seasonal treat:

How the Formerly Ubiquitous Pumpkin Became a Thanksgiving Treat

Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States, celebrated annually on the last Thursday in November. Have you ever wondered how the holiday came about? On October 3, 1863, Abraham Lincoln was responsible for issuing an official proclamation that Thanksgiving Day be deemed a national holiday (Secretary of State William Seward wrote the proclamation).

The proclamation came in late September 1863 – after author, editor, and poet Sarah Josepha Hale (best known for her poem, “Mary Had a Little Lamb”) wrote directly to President Lincoln, asking him to use his powers to create the holiday.

Below is a link to an article from NPS.gov (National Park Service) about Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation:

Lincoln and Thanksgiving

Below is a link to an article from NationalToday.com illustrating specially selected Thanksgiving craft ideas (for beginners to advanced DIYers):

75 Thanksgiving Crafts

Pumpkin Recipes:

Here are a few incredible pumpkin recipes which are perfect for the upcoming festive season! Teens and even younger children will benefit by being involved, as it is never too early to pass along cherished recipes while teaching them the importance of healthy nutrition (and especially kitchen safety).

Roasted Pumpkin Salad With Walnuts and Kale

Below is an incredibly healthy and bright autumn salad courtesy of the blog Daen’s Kitchen (from chef Daen Lia, author of the cookbook “Garlic, Olive Oil + Everything Else”). Personally, I think this pumpkin salad would pair nicely with a hearty Tuscan white bean soup (such as this one) and some toasted Asiago cheese bread.

Roasted Pumpkin Salad With Walnuts and Kale”

*Roasted Pumpkin Salad image courtesy of: Daen’s Kitchen (Daen Lia)

The Best Pumpkin Bread

Below is an absolutely delicious recipe, courtesy of The Food Network Kitchen. It is for homemade pumpkin bread ~ I have been baking this particular pumpkin bread for many years and this recipe is truly my favorite, for pumpkin bread. It is the best one I have ever found!

NOTE: I also add 1 tsp pure Vanilla extract and 1 cup chopped walnuts (the nuts are optional).

“The Best Pumpkin Bread”

*The Best Pumpkin Bread image courtesy of: The Food Network Kitchen

Libby’s New Pumpkin Pie

Below is a tasty new twist on a favorite classic for pumpkin pie, courtesy of the blog Cincy Shopper (from author Jen Lunsford). This new version still uses the Libby-brand canned pure pumpkin but replaces the granulated sugar with sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk for a fluffier, more custard-like pie.

NOTE: Click HERE for the original famous Libby’s pumpkin pie recipe.

“Libby’s New Pumpkin Pie”

*Libby’s New Pumpkin Pie image courtesy of: Cincy Shopper (Jen Lunsford)

Make Your Own Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix

NOTE: The below autumn recipe for pumpkin pie spice mix is my very own blog post courtesy of our CCPL @ HOME BLOG. Please click on the title to read my blog in its entirety. This blog also contains my bonus recipe for homemade apple cinnamon potpourri.

“Make Your Own Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix”

(originally posted November 2020)

(From my blog post)…“Fall is here! Pumpkin pie spice flavoring is so popular this time of year…it’s comforting, warm and homey. I wanted to make a homemade version of pumpkin pie spice mix so I could enjoy that classic autumnal aroma and yummy spicy flavor any time I wanted to.

You will find that making your own pumpkin pie spice mix is less expensive and easier than buying it at the store, and you can have as much as you want in your pantry. If you are wondering what you can do with your pumpkin pie spice mix, I’ve included a couple of ideas below. But first, let’s make the homemade pumpkin pie spice mix.”

*Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix image courtesy of: Sara

Additional Resources:

For even more inspiring recipe ideas for both sweet and savory dishes for the upcoming fall season, please visit the website, EatingWell. This website was recommended by my good friend, Michelle. According to their ‘About Us’ page, “EatingWell has been publishing award-winning journalism about food, nutrition, and sustainability for more than 30 years. Our mission is to share flavor-packed recipes from around the world, celebrating fresh ingredients and the farmers, artisans, and chefs who bring them to our table. Through science-backed wellness advice and smart stories about sustainability, we help readers live their best lives. We are about moderation and balance—not strict rules or fad diets—because for eating well to become a way of life, it should be accessible, sustainable, inspiring, and—above all—delicious.”

*CCPL Staff picks are chosen by CCPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We’d love to hear your ideas too, so write to us and tell us what you’d recommend!*

*All book cover photos are from Goodreads/all title descriptions are from the CCPL COSMOS website.

You may also check out our CCPL catalog for both entertaining and educational children’s resources on pumpkins, as well as recipes for delicious and hearty autumn meals (and beautiful craft projects related to pumpkins), such as:

Fall Baking: 275+ Breads, Pies, Cookies & More! by Taste of Home Books

Inside, you’ll find more than 275+ impressive cakes, snackable cookies, holiday pies, impressive tarts, and all the buttery breads you adore most. You’ll also rely on dozens of how-to photos and step-by-step instructions, as well as baking hints and tips from our Test Kitchen pros. Additional QR codes link you to handy how-to videos and collections of free recipes. A special Bonus Chapter offers savory pot pies, bubbling casseroles, and other oven-fresh entrees sure to warm the chilliest fall evening. Autumn is the perfect time of year to bake up a sensational new favorite. Let this keepsake cookbook show you how.