Twenty-eight great facts about pumpkins

Here are some facts about pumpkins:

• Total U.S. pumpkin production in 2006 was valued at $101.3 million.

• 496 million pounds of pumpkins were produced in Illinois in 2005.

• The top pumpkin production states are Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and California.

• The top ten pumpkin-producing counties in Illinois are Tazewell, Kankakee, Mason, Logan, Will, Marshall, Kane, Pike, Carroll and Woodford.

• According to the University of Illinois, 90 percent of the pumpkins grown in the United States are raised within a 90-mile radius of downstate Peoria.

• Pumpkins are grown primarily for processing, with a small percentage grown for ornamental sales through you-pick farms, farmers' market and retail sales.

• Around 90 to 95 percent of the processed pumpkins in the United States are grown in Illinois.

• Pumpkin seeds can be roasted as a snack.

• Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A.

• Pumpkins are used for feed for animals.

• Pumpkin flowers are edible.

• Pumpkins are used to make soups, pies and breads.

• The largest pumpkin pie ever made was over 5 feet in diameter and weighed more than 350 pounds. It used 80 pounds of cooked pumpkin, 36 pounds of sugar and 12 dozen eggs -- and took six hours to bake.

• Pumpkins are members of the vine crops family called cucurbits.

• Pumpkins originated in Central America.

• In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for piecrust, not for the filling.

• Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing snake bites.

• Pumpkins range in size from less than a pound to over 1,000 pounds.

• The name pumpkin originated from "pepon" -- the Greek word for "large melon."

• The Connecticut field variety is the traditional American pumpkin.

• Pumpkins are 90 percent water.

• Pumpkins are fruit.

• Eighty percent of the pumpkin supply in the United States is available in October.

• In colonial times, Native Americans roasted long strips of pumpkin in an open fire.

• Colonists sliced off pumpkin tops; removed seeds and filled the insides with milk, spices and honey. The dish was baked in hot ashes and is the origin of pumpkin pie.

• Native Americans flattened strips of pumpkins, dried them and made mats.

• Native Americans called pumpkins "isqoutm squash."

• Native Americans used pumpkin seeds for food and medicine.

For more information about pumpkins, including pumpkin history, varieties, nutrition, growing, selections, farms and more, visit http://www.urbanext.uiuc. edu/pumpkins.

-- Written by Ronald Wolford and Drusilla Banks, University of Illinois Extension educators in Horticulture and Nutrition & Wellness, respectively.