Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Pumpkin 101

Joe has known local farmer Tim Lemler almost forever, but it was really just by accident that we stumbled on his fabulous pumpkin patch 5 or 6 years ago on the way home from an auction. What makes his place so amazing is all the heirloom varieties:

These "gourmet" pumpkins are much more widely available now than when we first bought them, but a trip to Tim's farm is still a much-looked-forward-to autumn ritual at rhubarb reign.

Just a couple of our favorites include the Peanut, named for its peanut-like bumps, left above, and Cinderella's Carriage, right, which turns a fabulous shade of orange as it ripens. We also love Cinderella's twirly stem; I always try to pick pumpkins with lots of curlicue foliage.


Other favorites include Cheddar, far right, and the good old Pie, left. The bright orange cutie in the background is a new addition to our repertoire; anyone know the name for this guy?
While you're looking that up, check out these fun pumpkin facts from our pals at Wikipedia:
The word "pumpkin" originates from the word "pepon," which is Greek for "large melon;" how clever!
Pumpkins generally weigh 9 to 18 pounds, but the current world-record holder topped the scales at 1725.
Out of the 7 continents, only Antarctica is unable to produce pumpkins; boo, poor Antarctica.
Illinois is the top pumpkin producer in the United States.
Pumpkins are used for cooking, chucking, competing and our favorite -- decorating! There's just something fabulous about pumpkins plus antiques -- the colors are a natural. Send us a photo of your favorite idea -- and pass the pie while you're at it! xo


5 comments:

savvycityfarmer said...

wait ... you didn't mention where this is
NEED to go there!

Glenda said...

Was so glad to finally get to Allegan. Bought your First Aid sign, you should see it in my booth. Displayed just right. Going to try and get pictures up of your booth. Love the display of pumpkins!
~G~
Happy Autumn Day

Anonymous said...

Tim lives just about 5 miles from me, and I drool every time I drive past those pumpkins in the fall. Hard to resist! I might just have to drive down there and pick me up one of those lovely gray ones.

True North Interior Design & Antiques said...

We also have our favorite pumpkin patch we always visit this time of year. All the different varieties are so much fun. It just adds to October being my most favorite month of the year. CJ make our first pumpkin pie of the year last week and it tasted as good as your pictures look.

very merry vintage style said...

Isn't it funny how pumpkins bring us such joy? have so much fun with these jolly orange fellows. So glad I can use them through November!