Connecticut field pumpkin

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Cucurbita pepo
'Connecticut field pumpkin'
Connecticut Field cultivar of Cucurbita pepo.jpg
Connecticut field pumpkin
Genus Cucurbita
Species Cucurbita pepo [1]
Cultivar Connecticut field
Marketing names
  • Big Tom
  • Canner's Supreme
  • Eastern Field
  • Georgia Field
  • Lake Shore
Origin Connecticut

Connecticut field pumpkins are a type of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) first attested in the 16th century. They are one of the oldest varieties of pumpkin in existence and are known as an heirloom plant. One of the most popular Halloween pumpkins, Connecticut field pumpkins are commonly used for autumn decorations and jack-o'-lanterns; a strain of Connecticut field pumpkins have been described as "the original commercial jack-o'-lantern pumpkin". Due to the variety's appearance and growth process, it is considered to be well-suited for ornamental use. It also has culinary uses, particularly in canning, and was used for medicinal purposes by Native Americans in the United States prior to European contact.

Contents

Background

The Connecticut field pumpkin is of the species Cucurbita pepo , and is the most widely-grown member of the Cucurbita genus of gourds. The Cucurbita pepo group includes other pumpkins, winter squash, summer squash, acorns, and ornamental gourds. [2] It is a fruit which is sensitive to frost. The pumpkin plant has unisexual flowers and vines and large leaves. [3] The Connecticut field pumpkin is similar to winter squash, which was grown by Native Americans in the pre-Columbian era. [4] [5] The name "Connecticut field" references the area where the ancestral variety was found. [6] [5] The variety is colloquially known by various other names, such as Big Tom, Canner's Supreme, Eastern Field, Georgia Field, and Lake Shore. [7] The Connecticut field pumpkin has been grown since before the American Revolutionary War. [8]

History

Field pumpkins were seen as early as the middle of the 16th century by the French explorer Jacques Cartier. [9] Thomas Dunlap produced a catalog in 1752 that advertised Connecticut field pumpkin seeds: a quart was offered for 37.5 US cents. [10] In 1863 four distinct cultivars of this type of pumpkin were identified: Canada, Common Yellow, Connecticut field, and Long Yellow. The field pumpkin is typically traced back to the European colonization of the Americas. [11] Because of its long use, it is considered to be an heirloom plant. [12]

Native Americans in the United States used the pumpkins in food and the making of medicine. They dried and stored pumpkins for use in the winter and they used them to make bread and other foods. The Cherokee tribe ate the seeds to cure internal parasites and other native American tribes used pumpkin as a diuretic. American colonists soon learned the significance and they learned how to best grow it from the Native Americans. [9]

Characteristics

The pumpkins have many shapes and sizes but they are commonly round. The Connecticut field pumpkin is 15 lb (6.8 kg) to 25 lb (11 kg) in size and it is round, and orange, with smooth, slightly ribbed skin. [7] [13]

The Howden pumpkin was developed by John Howden and it is a strain selected from Connecticut field pumpkins for improved production and uniformity of fruits: it is described as "the original commercial jack-o'-lantern pumpkin". [14] [15] [6]

Cultivation and harvest

The Native Americans taught the colonists that they would get higher yields per acre if they planted potatoes or corn in the same field as the pumpkins. [9] In 1906, the South Dakota State Horticultural Society recommended that six seeds be planted within hills of dirt approximately 8 ft (2.4 m) apart. After the plants grew into seedlings, the horticultural society recommended that the seedlings be thinned to just two plants per hill. [16] The 1917 Cyclopedia of American Agriculture recommended that the variety be planted in sandy loam soil without other crops. They advised farmers to use manure to fertilize and said that 3 lb (1.4 kg) of seeds were needed to plant 1 acre (0.40 ha). A good crop was considered to be two pumpkins per vine. One dangerous pest that can destroy the crop is the striped cucumber beetle. [17]

The recommended time to harvest them is when there is no green visible on the pumpkin. Farmers are taught to leave a 3 4 inch stem on the pumpkin and to cut them with shears so that they do not break the stem. [18] The Connecticut field pumpkin has a 110-day growing period from planting to harvest. [19]

Uses

Connecticut field pumpkins are traditionally used to create Jack-o'-lanterns Halloween-Jack-O-Lantern-551 (cropped).jpg
Connecticut field pumpkins are traditionally used to create Jack-o'-lanterns

The Connecticut field pumpkin is considered to be the standard general-purpose Halloween pumpkin. It is the variety most often selected for carving jack-o'-lanterns, and is widely considered to be the most popular Halloween pumpkin. [7] [19] [20] Unlike many pumpkin varieties, the Connecticut field pumpkin grows upright. This gives them flat rather than rounded bottoms, which some commentators believe improves their usability for carving and displaying jack-o'-lanterns. [21]

The Connecticut field pumpkin also has culinary uses; it is one of the most popular pumpkin varieties for canning, alongside the Dickinson, Kentucky Field, and Golden Delicious pumpkins. [22] The variety can be eaten fresh or canned, [23] but is considered less palatable than culinary pumpkin varieties. [24] The inside of the pumpkin is stringy and thick which makes it less desirable for eating. [20]

The variety is also used by ranchers as feed for livestock. [7] The pulp is rich in carotenoids and the seeds are a source of fatty acid. The flowers and the pulp are both edible. [25] Because of its many uses, the variety is a common choice for home gardeners. [26]

Economic importance

In the United States, all fifty states produce pumpkins. In 2020 and 2021, Illinois led the nation in pumpkin production with 15,900 acres (6,400 ha) devoted to pumpkin growing. In 2021 alone, Illinois produced 652 million pounds of pumpkins. States with 4,500 to 7,400 acres (3,000 ha) devoted to pumpkin growing include: in the west, California; midwestern states Indiana and Michigan; and southern states Texas and Virginia. Prices range from US$35 to US$250 per 1000 pounds. The growers mainly produce ornamental or jack-o'-lantern pumpkins. [27] In addition to North America, pumpkins are grown in Africa, Europe, Asia and South America. Annual pumpkin production likely surpasses 20 million tonnes. [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gourd</span> Type of fruit

Gourds include the fruits of some flowering plant species in the family Cucurbitaceae, particularly Cucurbita and Lagenaria. The term refers to a number of species and subspecies, many with hard shells, and some without. One of the earliest domesticated types of plants, subspecies of the bottle gourd, Lagenaria siceraria, have been discovered in archaeological sites dating from as early as 13,000 BCE. Gourds have had numerous uses throughout history, including as tools, musical instruments, objects of art, film, and food.

<i>Cucurbita</i> Genus of herbaceous vines in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae

Cucurbita is a genus of herbaceous fruits in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae, native to the Andes and Mesoamerica. Five edible species are grown and consumed for their flesh and seeds. They are variously known as squash, pumpkin, or gourd, depending on species, variety, and local parlance. Other kinds of gourd, also called bottle-gourds, are native to Africa and belong to the genus Lagenaria, which is in the same family and subfamily as Cucurbita, but in a different tribe. These other gourds are used as utensils or vessels, and their young fruits are eaten much like those of the Cucurbita species.

<i>Cucurbita pepo</i> Species of flowering plant that yields varieties of squash and pumpkin

Cucurbita pepo is a cultivated plant of the genus Cucurbita. It yields varieties of winter squash and pumpkin, but the most widespread varieties belong to the subspecies Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo, called summer squash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zucchini</span> Edible summer squash

The zucchini, courgette or baby marrow is a summer squash, a vining herbaceous plant whose fruit are harvested when their immature seeds and epicarp (rind) are still soft and edible. It is closely related, but not identical, to the marrow; its fruit may be called marrow when mature.

Straightneck squash is a cultivated variety of Cucurbita pepo grown as a type of summer squash that is usually yellow-colored. It is also known as yellow squash, though other squashes, such as crookneck squash, may also be known by that name. It has mildly sweet and watery flesh, and thin tender skins that can be left on the fruit for many types of recipes. It was almost certainly domesticated in the eastern United States, although other variants of the same species were domesticated in Mesoamerica. This squash grows on vined plants reaching 60–90 cm (2.0–3.0 ft) in height that thrive in mild weather. It is well known as an item in American cooking where it is fried, microwaved, steamed, boiled, or baked. It is often used in recipes interchangeably with zucchini. A good yellow summer squash will be small and firm with tender skin free of blemishes and bruising. It is available all year long in some regions, but is at its peak from early through late summer. One similar inedible C. pepo variety is C. pepo var. ovifera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant pumpkin</span> Unusually large pumpkins

A giant pumpkin is an orange fruit of the squash Cucurbita maxima, commonly weighing from 68 kilograms (150 lb) to over 910 kilograms (2,010 lb).

<i>Cucurbita ficifolia</i> Plant species cultivated for edible shoots, leaves, flowers, fruit, and seeds

Cucurbita ficifolia is a species of squash, grown for its edible seeds, fruit, and greens. It has common names including Asian pumpkin, black seed squash, chilacayote, cidra, fig-leaf gourd, and Malabar gourd. Compared to other domesticated species in its genus, investigators have noted that samples of C. ficifolia from throughout its range are relatively similar to one other in morphology and genetic composition. Variations do occur in fruit and seed color, some isozymes, and photoperiod sensitivity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Agricultural Complex</span> Agricultural practices of pre-historic native cultures in the eastern United States and Canada

The Eastern Agricultural Complex in the woodlands of eastern North America was one of about 10 independent centers of plant domestication in the pre-historic world. Incipient agriculture dates back to about 5300 BCE. By about 1800 BCE the Native Americans of the woodlands were cultivating several species of food plants, thus beginning a transition from a hunter-gatherer economy to agriculture. After 200 BCE when maize from Mexico was introduced to the Eastern Woodlands, the Native Americans of the eastern United States and adjacent Canada slowly changed from growing local indigenous plants to a maize-based agricultural economy. The cultivation of local indigenous plants other than squash and sunflower declined and was eventually abandoned. The formerly domesticated plants returned to their wild forms.

<i>Cucurbita moschata</i> Species of flowering plant

Cucurbita moschata is a species originating in either Central America or northern South America. It includes cultivars known as squash or pumpkin. C. moschata cultivars are generally more tolerant of hot, humid weather than cultivars of C. maxima or C. pepo. They also generally display a greater resistance to disease and insects, especially to the squash vine borer. Commercially made pumpkin pie mix is most often made from varieties of C. moschata. The ancestral species of the genus Cucurbita were present in the Americas before the arrival of humans. No species within the genus is fully genetically isolated from all the other species. C. moschata can be hybridized with all other species. It has been suggested that this shows that the species of Cucurbita have diversified more recently than those of related genera such as Cucumis and Citrullus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crookneck squash</span> Cultivar of Cucurbita pepo

Crookneck squash, also known as yellow squash, is a cultivar of Cucurbita pepo, the species that also includes some pumpkins and most other summer squashes. The plants are bushy and do not spread like the plants of winter squash and pumpkin. Most often used as a summer squash, it is characterized by its yellow skin and sweet yellow flesh, as well as its distinctive curved stem-end or "crooked neck". It should not be confused with crookneck cultivars of Cucurbita moschata, such as the winter squash 'Golden Cushaw', or the vining summer squash 'Tromboncino'. Its name distinguishes it from another similar-looking variety of C. pepo, the straightneck squash, which is also usually yellow. There is one similar non-edible C. pepo variety: C. pepo var. ovifera.

Summer squash are squashes that are harvested when immature, while the rind is still tender and edible. Nearly all summer squashes are varieties of Cucurbita pepo, although not all Cucurbita pepo are considered summer squashes. Most summer squash have a bushy growth habit, unlike the rambling vines of many winter squashes. The name "summer squash" refers to the short storage life of these squashes, unlike that of winter squashes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delicata squash</span> Variety of winter squash

Delicata squash is a variety of winter squash with cylindrical fruits that are cream-coloured and striped in green or orange. As its name suggests, it has characteristically a delicate rind. It is also known as peanut squash, Bohemian squash, or sweet potato squash. It is a very sweet variety with a thin, edible skin and is typically cut into half rounds and roasted. It is a cultivar of the species Cucurbita pepo, which also includes the summer squash varieties pattypan squash, zucchini, and yellow crookneck squash, as well as winter squash varieties including acorn squash, spaghetti squash, and most pumpkins used as Jack-o-lanterns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winter squash</span> Squash harvested and eaten in mature stage; skin hardened into tough rind

Winter squash is an annual fruit representing several squash species within the genus Cucurbita. Late-growing, less symmetrical, odd-shaped, rough or warty varieties, small to medium in size, but with long-keeping qualities and hard rinds, are usually called winter squash. They differ from summer squash in that they are harvested and eaten in the mature stage when their seeds within have matured fully and their skin has hardened into a tough rind. At this stage, most varieties of this vegetable can be stored for use during the winter. Winter squash is generally cooked before being eaten, and the skin or rind is not usually eaten as it is with summer squash.

<i>Cucurbita maxima</i> Species of squash

Cucurbita maxima, one of at least five species of cultivated squash, is one of the most diverse domesticated species. This species originated in South America from the wild subspecies Cucurbita maxima subsp. andreana over 4,000 years ago. Cucurbita maxima, known for modern varieties as Hubbard, Delicious, Marblehead, Boston Marrow, and Turks Turban, originated in northern Argentina near the Andes or in certain Andean valleys. Secondary centers of diversity include India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the southern Appalachians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pumpkin</span> Category of culinary winter Cucurbita squashes

A pumpkin, in English-language vernacular, is a cultivated winter squash in the genus Cucurbita. The term is most commonly applied to round, orange-colored squash varieties, though it does not possess a scientific definition and may be used in reference to many different squashes of varied appearance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Max</span> Large pumpkin species

Big Max is a large type of pumpkin of the species Cucurbita maxima that can exceed 150 pounds (68 kg) under ideal growing conditions. They are often bright orange in color, with fine-grained, yellow-orange flesh. The skin, deeply ribbed and slightly roughened, can grow to be 3 to 4 in thick, making them favorable for storage. The flesh has been described as good for canning and freezing. However, their size often makes utilizing them for culinary uses cumbersome, and they lack the flavor and texture present in smaller pumpkin varieties.

<i>Cucurbita argyrosperma</i> Species of plant

Cucurbita argyrosperma, also called the cushaw squash and silver-seed gourd, is a species of winter squash originally from the south of Mexico. This annual herbaceous plant is cultivated in the Americas for its nutritional value: its flowers, shoots, and fruits are all harvested, but it is cultivated most of all for its seeds, which are used for sauces. It was formerly known as Cucurbita mixta.

<i>Peponapis pruinosa</i> Species of bee

Peponapis pruinosa is a species of solitary bee in the tribe Eucerini, the long-horned bees. Its common name is the eastern cucurbit bee. It may be called the squash bee, but this name can also apply to other species in its genus, as well as the other squash bee genus, Xenoglossa. This bee occurs in North America from the East Coast of the United States to the West Coast and into Mexico. It is an oligolege, specializing on a few host plants, the squashes and gourds of genus Cucurbita. Its range expanded as human agriculture spread throughout North America and squash plants became more abundant and widespread. It may also have spread naturally as the range of its favored wild host plant Cucurbita foetidissima expanded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tromboncino (squash)</span> Cultivar of Cucurbita moschata.

Tromboncino, also known as zucchetta, is a type of squash most often used as a summer squash. While nearly all summer squash are cultivars of Cucurbita pepo, tromboncino is a cultivar of Cucurbita moschata. The vining growth habit is similar to many winter squashes, but unlike most other summer squash. It is more tolerant to some common summer squash pests, including squash vine borer, squash bugs, and powdery mildew, than the more commonly grown, bushy, C. pepo summer squash cultivars. The plants are slower to start producing than some C. pepo types. The fruit color is usually pale green, fading to beige upon maturity, and it is picked around one foot long for summer squash. It is an heirloom, originally from Liguria, and remains popular throughout Italy and abroad. Tromboncino squash can be left to mature into a winter squash; such is often compared to a watery butternut squash. If left to ripen, the fruits can grow over three feet in length. Its flesh is delicious roasted or when prepared in a stew or soup.

References

  1. ↑ "Squash and Pumpkin" (PDF). USDA ARS GRIN. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
  2. ↑ "Garden Crossbreeds Take Some Tracking". The News Tribune. Associated Press. 2 June 1990. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  3. ↑ Paris, Harry S. (16 October 2000). "History of the Cultivar‐Groups of Cucurbita pepo". Horticultural Reviews. Vol. 25. pp. 71–170. doi:10.1002/9780470650783.ch2. ISBN   9780471349334 . Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  4. ↑ Goldman, Amy (January 2004). The Compleat Squash: A Passionate Grower's Guide to Pumpkins, Squash, and Gourds. Artisan Books. p. 111. ISBN   9781579652517.
  5. 1 2 "Abenaki Heritage Garden" (PDF). USDA NRCS. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-06-09. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  6. 1 2 "Pick a Pumpkin from Massachusetts". Mass.gov. Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. Archived from the original on 2016-07-24. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Stephens, James M. "PUMPKIN—CUCURBITA SPP". UF/IFAS Electronic Data Information System. Archived from the original on 21 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  8. ↑ Woodward, Bernice (24 October 1942). "Frost is on the Punkin'". Evening star. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 Goldman, Amy (1 January 2004). The Complete Squash: A Passionate Grower's Guide to Pumpkins, Squash, and Gourds. New York: Artisan Books. p. 111. ISBN   978-1-57965-251-7 . Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  10. ↑ Ott, Cindy (1 December 2012). Pumpkin: The Curious History of an American Icon. Seattle, Washington: University of Washington Press. p. 62. ISBN   978-0-295-80444-6. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  11. ↑ Janick, Jules (22 June 2010). Horticultural Reviews, Volume 25. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. p. 95. ISBN   978-0-470-65079-0. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  12. ↑ Damerow, Gail (2 January 2012). The Perfect Pumpkin: Growing/Cooking/Carving. North Adams, Massachusetts: Storey Publishing, LLC. p. 15. ISBN   978-1-60342-741-8 . Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  13. ↑ Sidnmam, Bill (11 June 1989). "Gardening : Trick Is to Plant Now for Halloween Treat". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  14. ↑ Damerow, Gail (2 January 2012). The Perfect Pumpkin: Growing/Cooking/Carving. Storey Publishing, LLC. p. 15. ISBN   9781603427418.
  15. ↑ Goldman, Amy (January 2004). The Compleat Squash: A Passionate Grower's Guide to Pumpkins, Squash, and Gourds. Artisan Books. p. 108. ISBN   9781579652517.
  16. ↑ Annual Report of South Dakota State Horticultural Society. Brookings, South Dakota: South Dakota State Horticultural Society. 1906. p. 177. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  17. ↑ Bailey, Liberty Hyde (1917). Cyclopedia of American Agriculture: A Popular Survey of Agricultural Conditions, Practices and Ideals in the United States and Canada. London: Macmillan. p. 529. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  18. ↑ Bost, Toby; Polomski, Bob (30 August 2012). Carolinas Gardener's Handbook: All You Need to Know to Plan, Plant & Maintain a Carolinas Garden. Brentwood, Tennessee: Cool Springs Press. p. 104. ISBN   978-1-59186-539-1 . Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  19. 1 2 McLaughlin, Chris (7 December 2010). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Heirloom Vegetables: Bring in a Bounty from Your Heritage Garden. New York, New York: Penguin. p. 197. ISBN   978-1-101-44183-1 . Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  20. 1 2 Howard, Doreen (15 September 2013). Heirloom Flavor: Yesterday's Best-Tasting Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs for Today's Cook. Brentwood, Tennessee: Cool Springs Press. p. 164. ISBN   978-1-61058-280-3 . Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  21. ↑ Pederson, Deb (20 October 1986). "There's a Pumpkin to fit Every Need". Fremont Tribune. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  22. ↑ Stanfield, Peggy (12 September 2003). "Canned Vegetables: Product Descriptions". In Hui, YH; Ghazala, Sue; Graham, Dee M; Murrell, KD; Nip, Wai-Kip (eds.). Handbook of Vegetable Preservation and Processing. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. p. 154. ISBN   9780824756659.
  23. ↑ Cumo, Christopher (2013). Encyclopedia of Cultivated Plants: From Acacia to Zinnia. Santa Barbara, California: Bloomsbury Publishing USA. p. 834. ISBN   979-8-216-06897-6. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  24. ↑ Reilly, Laura (29 October 2015). "Pumpkin's surprising origin". BBC Travel. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  25. 1 2 Kulczyński, Bartosz; Gramza-Michałowska, Anna; Królczyk, Jolanta B. (January 2020). "Optimization of Extraction Conditions for the Antioxidant Potential of Different Pumpkin Varieties (Cucurbita maxima)". Sustainability. 12 (4): 1305. doi: 10.3390/su12041305 . ISSN   2071-1050.
  26. ↑ Jewett, Grace (29 October 1986). "Original Thanksgiving Included the Pumpkin". Washington County Post. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  27. ↑ "Pumpkins: Background & Statistics". USDA. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Archived from the original on 21 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
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