Each year we seem to find more and more pumpkin products available in stores and restaurants. Aside from the old standards like pumpkin pie and bread, it seems a cinnamon-spicy blend is added to everything and called "pumpkin". Now to be fair, there is actually a kiss of the orange squash in a few of them. A couple of friends and I went to lunch Friday and afterward stopped in a Trader Joe's. While poking up and down the aisles, I saw pumpkin flavored tea, coffee, ice cream, cream cheese, yogurt, cereal, bars, butter, dog treats, salsa, cookies, caramel corn and chocolates. I'm sure I am neglecting other items!
I came home with these pumpkin products.
I found some interesting facts online.
Did you know?
Pumpkins are low in calories and fat, while high in fiber. They're good sources of vitamins A and B, potassium, protein and iron.
Most pumpkins are grown in IL. In fact, more than 90% of the crops come from that state. Have you ever seen "Grown in IL" stamped on your canned pumpkin label? Now you know the reason. By the way, OH, PA and CA also grow them.
Collectively, over 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are grown in the US each year.
The largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighted 2,020 pounds!
About 80% of all pumpkins ripen and are picked in the month of October.
An average pumpkin contains about 500 seeds!
Every part of the pumpkin is edible. If you're wondering about if that includes the stem...it does!
What are your favorite pumpkin products?
I send you pumpkin kisses and harvest wishes today!