Yup..it's NATIONAL PUMPKIN DAY...!!!

Did you know today is #NationalPumpkinDay? Here are some interesting facts:

1. Illinois grows more pumpkins than any other state.
2. 95% of pumpkins grown to make pies and pie filling are from Illinois.
3. The U.S. grows over 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins a year.


http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/n...ay-october-26/

"By October 26th, we in a frenzy of pumpkin obsession. We cannot wait for the big November holiday for pumpkin pie. No siree, we need pumpkin every-thing! Bars, cookies, coffee, cheesecake, pasta and oatmeal. Pumpkin Chunkin, pumpkin patches, festivals, bake-offs and television specials. Lets not forget jack-o-lantern carving, too! This fruit grabs Americans attention.

As it should be. This squash is native to North America. The oldest evidence of pumpkin-related seeds dates back to somewhere between 7000 and 5500 BC to seeds found in Mexico.

The word pumpkin originates from the word pepon, which means €œlarge melon€� in Greek.

Within recent years, white pumpkins have become more popular in the United States. The United States produces 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins, with Illinois producing more than any other state.

A 2,145-pound pumping from Streator, Illinois holds the current North American record. Grown by Gene McMullen in 2015, the great pumpkin weighed in a few hundred pounds lighter than the current world record pumpkin from 2014.. At 2,323-pounds, the giant pumpkin from Switzerland retains the world record prize.

Canned pumpkin may be recommended by veterinarians as a dietary supplement for dogs and cats that are experiencing certain digestive ailments.

Raw pumpkin can be fed to poultry as a supplement to their regular feed during the winter months to help maintain egg production..."