Post by macmex on Oct 31, 2014 9:37:15 GMT -6
When the first European settlers arrived in New England, many died during the first winter. Those who survived had eaten a lot of orange colored pumpkin, which was the most common squash in that area. Hunger is indeed the best seasoning. Though most of those orange colored pumpkins were of “stock feed quality,” it took another entire generation to convince most of these folk that the orange pumpkin wasn't the best!
During the era of the clipper ships plant and animal material was spread all over the world. Many squash/pumpkin varieties from South America were introduced to the Northeast, where they thrived. Most of these were of the species c. maxima, originating in the highlands of South America. Their eating quality was truly superior. American classics such as Hubbard and Delicious were born. To this day New Englanders in the know, prefer these squash for food.
Throughout the Americas, though to a lesser degree, in the New England area, there was a land race of squash/pumpkin, from the c. moschata species, with more tropical origins. When ripe these squash are often tan colored. Some are dark green, turning tan in storage. Though not quite of the eating quality of most c. maxima squash, they are usually quite good. They shine, however, in productivity and insect resistance. The northernmost cousin, in the tribe, to my knowledge, was known as the Canada Crookneck, the original parent stock from which all our butternut squash descend. Cuba's branch of the family is simply called “Calabaza.” Throughout tropical and subtropical parts of Mexico they have the Calabaza de Castilla.. The Seminoles had/have their own version, now commonly known as Seminole Pumpkin, which would climb trees, practically producing on its own in the Everglades. The Choctaw have their own version, known as the Choctaw pumpkin, an extremely productive and hardy plant. Throughout the Southern and Central part of the United States there are different variations of “cornfield Pumpkin,” of various shapes and sizes, all buff colored.
“Pumpkin?” “Squash?” Is there a difference? Not really. In English we have two terms originating from two different languages.1 Generally speaking, we think of “pumpkin” when the fruit is round or oblong, especially if it is orange. But, in reality all pumpkins are squash.
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Notes:
Merriam Webster Dictionary says of “pumpkin:”
alteration of earlier pumpion, modification of French popon, pompon melon, pumpkin, from Latin pepon-, pepo, from Greek pepōn, from pepōn ripened; akin to Greek pessein to cook, ripen
First Known Use: 1654 (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pumpkin)
Of “squash:”
Origin of SQUASH
by shortening & alteration from earlier isquoutersquash, from Narragansett askútasquash
First Known Use: 1634 (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squash)
During the era of the clipper ships plant and animal material was spread all over the world. Many squash/pumpkin varieties from South America were introduced to the Northeast, where they thrived. Most of these were of the species c. maxima, originating in the highlands of South America. Their eating quality was truly superior. American classics such as Hubbard and Delicious were born. To this day New Englanders in the know, prefer these squash for food.
Throughout the Americas, though to a lesser degree, in the New England area, there was a land race of squash/pumpkin, from the c. moschata species, with more tropical origins. When ripe these squash are often tan colored. Some are dark green, turning tan in storage. Though not quite of the eating quality of most c. maxima squash, they are usually quite good. They shine, however, in productivity and insect resistance. The northernmost cousin, in the tribe, to my knowledge, was known as the Canada Crookneck, the original parent stock from which all our butternut squash descend. Cuba's branch of the family is simply called “Calabaza.” Throughout tropical and subtropical parts of Mexico they have the Calabaza de Castilla.. The Seminoles had/have their own version, now commonly known as Seminole Pumpkin, which would climb trees, practically producing on its own in the Everglades. The Choctaw have their own version, known as the Choctaw pumpkin, an extremely productive and hardy plant. Throughout the Southern and Central part of the United States there are different variations of “cornfield Pumpkin,” of various shapes and sizes, all buff colored.
“Pumpkin?” “Squash?” Is there a difference? Not really. In English we have two terms originating from two different languages.1 Generally speaking, we think of “pumpkin” when the fruit is round or oblong, especially if it is orange. But, in reality all pumpkins are squash.
___________________________________________________
Notes:
Merriam Webster Dictionary says of “pumpkin:”
alteration of earlier pumpion, modification of French popon, pompon melon, pumpkin, from Latin pepon-, pepo, from Greek pepōn, from pepōn ripened; akin to Greek pessein to cook, ripen
First Known Use: 1654 (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pumpkin)
Of “squash:”
Origin of SQUASH
by shortening & alteration from earlier isquoutersquash, from Narragansett askútasquash
First Known Use: 1634 (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squash)