pumpkins...

Why is it that the whole of western Europe seems to have taken up the American tradition of placing pumpkins on their doorsteps ?


We never used to, we had harvest festivals with all sorts of local produce, but I don't recall pumpkins being among them.

Throughout Ireland and Britain, there is a long tradition of carving lanterns from vegetables, particularly the turnip, swede or mangelwurzel.
(shown on the right)




The turnip has traditionally been used in Ireland and Scotland at Halloween, but immigrants to North America used the larger native pumpkin, which are both readily available and much larger – making them easier to carve than turnips.

I have tried to making pumpkin pie but it turned out a disgusting taste...