National Pumpkin Seed Day October 5 , 2022 , history, significance
The first Wednesday in October, on October 5 this year, serves up a yummy delight as food lovers mark National Pumpkin Seed Day. The delicious treats make the perfect snack for the season. Foodies across the country will definitely have tons of experience with the tasty flavor of roasted pumpkin seeds. Add the fact that these seeds have tons of health benefits and it’s little wonder that it gets a whole day to itself.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL PUMPKIN SEED DAY
Pumpkin seeds (also known as pepitas) have been recognized for their medicinal and dietary properties for hundreds of years. According to archeological studies of an excavated tomb in central Mexico, the first record of pumpkin seeds stretches back to 7000 B.C.
The Mayans and the Aztecs were among the civilizations believed to have recognized the nutritional and health benefits of pumpkin seeds. Their instincts were quite right. Pumpkin seeds are one of the plant-based foods with the most nutrients. A serving of a quarter cup contains 17% of the daily zinc recommendation for adults alongside 15% of red blood cell-boosting iron.
One ounce of the small seed packs a staggering 8.5 grams of plant-based protein. That is about 2.5 times more than what you get from a hard-boiled egg. That’s not all either; the flavorful treat boasts a generous stock of minerals (40% of the recommended daily intake of phosphorus, manganese, and magnesium) that support general body function.
In 2016, SuperSeedz Gourmet Pumpkin Seeds created National Pumpkin Seed Day to celebrate the amazing health benefits and culinary applications of pumpkin seeds. Founder, Kathie Pelliccio, started SuperSeedz with a pan in her kitchen, making yummy pumpkin seeds to supplement yogurt, oatmeal, and salads.
Without their shells, pumpkin seeds make a tasty snack. To get the best out of these flavor-packed treats, try dry-roasting them or working in some savory seasonings. They are versatile and can even be added to a bowl of ice cream. Stuff them into baked goods for that extra crunch as you munch away, or for added protein in your power bars and granolas.
NATIONAL PUMPKIN SEED DAY TIMELINE
7000 B.C.
The First Seeds Emerge
Pumpkin seeds are cultivated in central Mexico.
8000 B.C.
Cucurbita Emerges
Cucurbita, a group of herbaceous vines (squash, gourd, or pumpkin), enter cultivation records 4,000 years ahead of crops like beans and maize.
1800s–1900s
Pumpkin Seeds Enter the Pharmacopoeia
Pumpkin seeds are listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia as antiparasitic.
2016
National Pumpkin Seed Day is Introduced
National Pumpkin Seed Day is introduced to celebrate the many uses of pumpkin seeds.
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5 FACTS ABOUT PUMPKIN SEEDS THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND
Cooking oil
Many European countries extract oil from pumpkin seeds to use in cooking.
One too many
Consuming a large number of pumpkin seeds can cause constipation and bloating.
Wide application
Pumpkin seeds were recognized for their antiparasitic properties in the United States Pharmacopoeia during the 1800s and 1900s.
A heavy dose
Three tablespoonful bites of pumpkin seeds contain over 30 grams of the required daily magnesium intake.
In good company
Pumpkins belong to the Cucurbita family, which means they’re also squash.
How to Celebrate National Pumpkin Seed Day
Get on board with enjoying and celebrating National Pumpkin Seed Day with some of these fun ideas:
Try Eating Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds can be enjoyed in a wide variety of ways. Whether simply eating a handful of them in a basic manner, just roasted and salted, or getting a bit more creative, eating them is the perfect activity to celebrate National Pumpkin Day.
Try sprinkling pumpkin seeds on top of salads, adding them to rye to make crackers at home, put them in chocolate chunk cookies, add them to a nut mix or trail mix, use them in hummus, or put them in soups. Certainly there are many creative and delicious ways to use pumpkin seeds every day!
Roast Some Pumpkin Seeds
While pumpkin seeds can often be found in the health food section of a grocery store or at a health food store, they can also be harvested from the pumpkin and roasted at home! When using a fresh pumpkin to make pumpkin puree for pumpkin bread or pumpkin soup, it is super easy to save the seeds and roast them in the oven with olive oil and salt.
Learn About the Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin Seeds offer a large array of nutritional benefits for the body. Chock full of fiber, healthy fats and antioxidants, pumpkin seeds are a simple and convenient way to add a health benefit to meals and snacks. In honor of National Pumpkin Day, take a look at some of these health benefits of pumpkin seeds:
- Good for Heart Health With monounsaturated fatty acids that help to lower the bad cholesterol and magnesium that helps to regulate the blood pressure, eating pumpkin seeds regularly is an easy way to keep the heart healthy.
- A Natural Sleep Aid Because they contain serotonin and tryptophan, pumpkin seeds work to calm the nervous system and may help with relaxation and sleep.
- Immune System Booster Pumpkin seeds offer a healthy way to give the immune system some help due to the fact that they contain phytochemicals and antioxidants that keep the body healthy.
- Blood Sugar Level Control With a good amount of digestible protein combined with antioxidants that decrease the oxidative stress, pumpkin seeds offer help not only to diabetics to keep their blood sugars lower, but also for those who are trying to prevent diabetes through a healthy diet.
