Did you know about the big pumpkin?

So what's with using the wonderful pumpkin at Halloween?  Today I googled "why halloween pumpkins" and was quite surprised at all the interesting meanings and legends on why the pumpkin got used as the scary Jack-O-Lantern.   It seems that in the 1800s when so many immigrants came to America because of the Irish Potato Famine, they brought with them the traditions of Halloween and the use of the pumpkin.  Traditionally, the Jack-O-Lantern was carved from potatoes, beets and turnips and then lit with a burning lump of coal or little candles.  I find it hard to imagine, because we are so used to a big orange pumpkin, a home decorated with small potatoes and beets with a lump of coal inside. These vegetable lanterns were made to represent the souls of the dear departed ones and they set them on porches and in windows to welcome home the deceased. They also believed the little scary lanterns served as protection against malevolent spirits or goblins freed from the dead. Since turnips and gourds were not as readily available in the Americas the pumpkin was used and found to be a terrific and more scary replacement. Today the pumpkin Jack-O-Lantern is an essential part of Halloween celebrations. 

I have never been much of a pumpkin decorator. I have a beautiful one that is made of glass that I use on my side table with fall leaves, but when it comes to the real pumpkin mine is for eating.  A wonderful slice of pumpkin pie is a mainstay at Thanksgiving and then again during the Christmas season.  Actually I am glad the Lantern was changed to a pumpkin, can you imagine a Thanksgiving beet or turnip pie?   Do you do something special with pumpkin this time of the year?  I would love to read your ideas!

Pumpkin decorating photos from Good Housekeeping.