Pumpkin history

The name pumpkin originated from the Greek word for ‘large melon’ which is ‘pepon.’ ‘Pepon’ was turned by the French into ‘pompon’ and then the English changed ‘pompon’ to ‘Pumpion.’ American colonists finally changed ‘pumpion’ into ‘pumpkin.’ In folk tales, the pumpkin features in many stories such as: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater and Cinderella

The pumpkin became associated with America because Native Americans dried strips of pumpkin and wove them into mats. They also roasted long strips of pumpkin on the open fire and ate them. The Native Americans brought pumpkins as gifts to the first settlers, and taught them many ways to cook the pumpkin. In 1621 American settlers made what may have been the first pumpkin pie by filling a hollowed out shell with milk, honey and spices, then baking it in hot ashes.

1796 - It was not until 1796 that an entirely American cookbook, Amelia Simmons' American Cookery, was published. Her pumpkin puddings were baked in a crust and similar to present day pumpkin pies.

Modern Pumpkin Pie

Sweet short crust pastry case

For the filling:

Method