Without a doubt the most recognizable symbol of Halloween is a pumpkin carved into a jack-o-lantern!
For most of the general population this holiday is known as Halloween and is a night for dressing up, telling ghost stories, having spooky parties, trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving. What most people don’t know is that Halloween is actually based on an ancient Celtic holiday known as Samhain (pronounced “sow wan”), which means “summer’s end”.
It was the end of the Celtic year, starting at sundown on October 31st and going through to sundown November 1st. It was a night to honor loved ones that had passed on since the veil between their realm and ours is at it’s thinnest on that night.
Celebrated for centuries by the Celts of old, Witches and many other nature based religions, it is the most magical night of the year. It is the Witches’ New Year, and the Last Harvest. Although the religious significance of it has passed for the general public, Halloween is a “magical” night for all!
On this magical night, glowing jack-o-lanterns, carved from turnips or gourds, were set on porches and in windows to welcome deceased loved ones, but also to act as protection against malevolent spirits. Burning lumps of coal were used inside as a source of light, later to be replaced by candles.
When European settlers, particularly the Irish, arrived in American they found the native pumpkin to be larger and easier to carve, it seemed the perfect choice for the jack-o-lanterns. Halloween didn’t really catch on big in this country until the late 1800’s and has been celebrated in so many ways ever since!
Pumpkin Pie
1 1/2 cups plain canned pumpkin
3/4 cups sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 tspground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger,nutmeg and cloves
3 slightly beaten eggs
1 1/4 cups whole milk
2/3 cup evaporated milk
9” pie shell lined with a short crust (plain pie crust)
Combine pumpkin sugar salt and spices. Then blend in the eggs milks and pour into the pie shell (unbaked shell). Bake at 400 for about 50 minutes or until a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool
Pie crust:
2 c. flour
1 tsp salt
2 tlb sugar
2/3 c shortening (crisco or lard)
8 tlb ice cold water
Mix the flour,salt and sugar. Cut in the shortening using a pastry blender or with fingers. (pinching between fingers works best) until it’s like tiny peas and will stick together when squeezed) sprinkle cold water over and lightly incorporate into each other. Once you start adding water, handle as quickly as possible or your crust will be heavy. Roll into a ball and chill for about an hour. Roll out with a little flour dusted on table. Place in greased pie plate and flute the edges to prevent spillage. Flute by placing index finger on the edge and push in gently with two fingers placed on each side of index finger. This should make enough for two pies! You’ll be placed at rock star status with this pie.
Pumpkins are indigenous to the western hemisphere and were completely unknown in Europe before the time of Columbus. Pumpkins have been grown in America for over 5,000 years. Native Americans called pumpkins “isquotersquash.”
Did you know that pumpkins are not a vegetable - they are a fruit! Pumpkins, like gourds, and other varieties of squash are all members of the Cucurbitacae family, which also includes cucumbers, gherkins, and melons.
Contrary to what some believe, Witchcraft, is a benevolent natured based religion who’s roots can be traced back some 28,000 years. Witches do not worship the devil, in fact they don’t even believe in the existence of the devil. Their religion forbids the casting of harmful spells. This religion and off-shoots of it exists today.
