Full Answer
What does it mean when a child has a Blue pumpkin?
Blue pumpkins and blue candy buckets mean the same thing If you see a trick-or-treater carrying a blue candy bucket, it could mean that the child has been diagnosed with Autism. This is particularly important to know and understand, because many children with an Autism diagnosis don’t necessarily interact in the same way as their peers.
What is the scientific name for a Blue pumpkin?
Current Facts. Blue pumpkins, botanically classified as Cucurbita maxima, grow on annual, long sprawling vines that can grow up to nine meters in length and are members of the Cucurbitaceae family along with gourds and squash.
What does a Blue pumpkin mean on a Halloween fundraiser?
While blue pumpkins aren't associated with a formal fundraiser or organization, families may choose to display them as a symbol to help educate others on how Halloween festivities may impact a child on the autism spectrum.
What is the flesh of a Blue pumpkin like?
The flesh is thick, dense, deep orange, and encases a central cavity filled with pulp and flat, cream-colored seeds. Blue pumpkins are aromatic and are known for their mildly fruity, sweet flesh.
What type of pumpkin is blue?
Jarrahdale: This blue pumpkin has a golden-orange flesh that is fine-textured and sweet. Good in pies, it is also versatile in soups and stews.
Do blue pumpkins taste good?
Blue pumpkins have a subtly sweet and vegetal flavor suited for cooked preparations and are used in sweet and savory recipes.
Is there such thing as blue pumpkins?
The blue pumpkins are well known in the USA but they are growing in popularity here too, with some high street stores selling them. There are also teal pumpkins which indicate food allergies - so instead of sweets or food children are given glow sticks.
What does a blue or teal pumpkin mean?
food allergiesIt's part of an initiative called The Teal Pumpkin Project that started in 2012. "It's a way for people who are handing out candy to let kids with food allergies know that they have food allergy safe treats or basically non-food treats for those kids with food allergies," said Dr.
What pumpkins are not edible?
At the same time, they ask “Are all varieties of pumpkins are edible?” The plain and simple truth is – – Yes, all varieties of pumpkins are edible. Of course, pumpkin seeds are edible, too. Both pumpkin flesh(pulp, or meat) and seeds taste good, and are healthy and nutritious.
How long do blue pumpkins last?
If cured correctly, (let sit in the sun for 7-10 days after harvesting, which allows the skin to harden) they can last up to 12 months in a cool dark place in your home like a closet or unheated room, even under a bed.
What is a Cinderella pumpkin?
Cinderella pumpkins are a type of winter squash with a mild, sweet flavor and moist texture that makes them great for soups, sauces, purees, and curries. They can be roasted, baked and steamed, and used for ornamental purposes.
Can you eat blue doll pumpkins?
Blue Doll pumpkin has an exotic blue color to its blocky, deeply ribbed fruit. Large vines produce excellent yields of 15-20 lb. fruit that have a blue colored rind and sweet, deep orange flesh. Blue Doll's flesh is good for pies, soups or canning.
What colors can pumpkins be?
They can be white, red, yellow, green, even blue! This "Never Stop Asking 'Why?' " answer is brought to you by eHow! Pumpkins change color from green to orange for the same reasons tree leaves change color in the fall, and they do it under the same conditions.
What do the colors of pumpkins mean?
Purple pumpkin - Raises awareness for those who could have epilepsy and suffer from seizures. Teal pumpkin -Means you have non-candy treats for those who may have allergies. Blue pumpkin - Supports kids with autism. It can also mean support for your local police.
What does a pumpkin on your porch mean?
Food Allergy Research and Education started the Teal Pumpkin Project to raise awareness for trick-or-treaters with food allergies. Putting a teal pumpkin on your porch means you're providing non-food treats to keep those with allergies safe, according to the organization's website.
Are purple pumpkins real?
There are hundreds of varieties of pumpkins out there. Big, small, red, green and even purple!
Which pumpkin has the best taste?
11 of the Best Pumpkin Cultivars to Grow for CookingCasper. You may not think of white pumpkins as something to eat instead of displaying them as unique decorations, but 'Casper' has delicious sweet flesh. ... Cherokee Bush. ... Cinderella. ... Cushaw Green-Striped. ... Dill's Atlantic. ... Fairytale. ... Jarrahdale. ... Musquee De Provence.More items...•
Which pumpkins taste the best?
Choose the Right Kind For cooking, you'll want to use sugar pumpkins (also called pie or sweet pumpkins), which are small and round. Long Island Cheese pumpkins, which are more oblong and can look like a wheel of cheese, are also good to eat.
Are blue doll pumpkins edible?
Blue Doll pumpkin has an exotic blue color to its blocky, deeply ribbed fruit. Large vines produce excellent yields of 15-20 lb. fruit that have a blue colored rind and sweet, deep orange flesh. Blue Doll's flesh is good for pies, soups or canning.
Which pumpkin is the sweetest?
Sugar pumpkins Also known as pie pumpkins or sweet pumpkins, the sugar pumpkin is perfect for pies because they aren't as stringy and contain less water than other pumpkins. As their name indicates, the sugar pumpkin can be quite sweet compared to other pumpkins.
1. Jarrahdale Pumpkin
Jarrahdale Pumpkins are medium-large grey-blue heirloom pumpkins. These are the classic “blue” heirloom pumpkins, with a slate-blue rind and deep, blocky ribs. Jarrahdale heirloom pumpkins generally weigh in the range of 12-18 pounds when ripe. In addition to their ornamental value, they make excellent cooking pumpkins.
2. Blue Doll Pumpkin
Blue Doll Pumpkins are medium-large hybrid pumpkins with rich blue-colored rinds. These pumpkins are deeply ribbed, and reach 15-20 pounds per fruit. The flesh inside is bright orange, and well-suited for pies, soups, or canning.
3. Blue Moon Pumpkin
Blue Moon Pumpkins are medium-sized hybrid pumpkins with a smooth blue rind. These pumpkins have a classic round, slightly-flattened shape with chunky ribs. The inside of the pumpkins is yellow-orange. Each Blue Moon pumpkin weighs about 10 pounds.
4. Baby Blue Hubbard Squash
Baby Blue Hubbard Squash are small, round, pumpkin-esqe versions of the familiar large Hubbard Squash. Each rounded, pear-shaped squash weighs 7-9 pounds. They keep very well and are wonderful for cooking with.
5. Queensland Blue Pumpkin
Queensland Blue Pumpkins are large, blue-grey Australian heirloom pumpkins. These gorgeous fruits have deep ribs and a tall, flattened, almost cylindrical frame. These pumpkins store for many months due to their thick rind. Queensland Blue Pumpkins are great for decor, but can also be used to make excellent pumpkin puree.
6. Blue Bayou Pumpkin
Blue Bayou Pumpkins are a new hybrid pumpkin variety with a blue rind and very wide heirloom-like ribs. These gorgeous pumpkins are perfect both for decorating with and for cooking with. The hybrid plants are very productive and resistant to disease (even in humid growing conditions).
7. Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin
Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkins are medium-sized, blue-green Italian heirloom pumpkins. These Italian heirlooms weigh about 10-12 pounds each, and are known for their warty, wrinkly, almost-bubbly rind. Marina Di Chioggia is an excellent cooking pumpkin (particularly for roasting).
Current Facts
Blue pumpkins, botanically classified as Cucurbita maxima, grow on annual, long sprawling vines that can grow up to nine meters in length and are members of the Cucurbitaceae family along with gourds and squash.
Nutritional Value
Blue pumpkins contain beta-carotene, fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium.
Applications
Blue pumpkins are best suited for cooked applications such as baking, roasting, boiling, and steaming. They can be used in both sweet and savory preparations, but their sweet flavor lends itself best to desserts and baked goods such as pie fillings, scones, and cakes.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Blue Pumpkins. One is easiest, three is harder.
Recently Shared
Someone shared Blue Pumpkins using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android .
What is the meaning of a blue pumpkin?
There are two ways blue pumpkins may be used in the fall season and during Halloween; while neither is tied to a singular public campaign or a nonprofit fundraising goal, many families organize blue pumpkin displays and outreach efforts for unique awareness (and for personal goals, too!).
What you should know about displaying a blue pumpkin
Officials at the Autism Society of America have published a quick introduction guide to help you create a more welcoming environment for children on the autism spectrum and their families during Halloween.
1. Blue pumpkins and blue candy buckets mean the same thing
If you see a trick-or-treater carrying a blue candy bucket, it could mean that the child has been diagnosed with Autism.
2. Blue pumpkins started as a social media effort
Like other brightly colored pumpkins at Halloween, blue pumpkins for Autism awareness started by advocates on Facebook.
3. Blue pumpkins were likely inspired by teal pumpkins
In 2013, the well-known Teal Pumpkin Project launched in response to a growing concern for children with food allergies. When people placed a teal pumpkin on the front porch, it signaled to trick-or-treaters that, in addition to giving away candy, they were also giving away non-food treats that were safe for children with food allergies.
4. Blue pumpkins should signal the need for extra patience
In 2019, mom Omairis Taylor posted this message on Facebook: “Last year houses will wait for him to say ‘Trick or Treat’ in order for him to get a piece of candy – and there I go explaining the situation for the next 5 blocks. This year, we will be trying the Blue Bucket to signify he has Autism.
Conclusion
In 2020, the CDC reported that 1 in 54 children in the United States has been diagnosed with Autism. Specifically, 1 in 34 boys is diagnosed, and 1 in 144 girls is diagnosed. This means there’s a high likelihood that multiple children who come to your front door on Halloween will have an Autism diagnosis.
The History of the Blue Pumpkin Bucket
While it’s not quite as prolific as the Great Pumpkin, the blue or teal pumpkin does have a history and a story.
Blue Pumpkin and Autism
Halloween can be a strange, confusing and stressful time for kids and adults with autism but many people look forward to it all year long. Parents and family of people with autism, down syndrome and other developmental disabilities came together, inspired by the Teal Pumpkin Project, and created the Blue Pumpkin Bucket.
What Can You Do
In terms of fun holiday trends that benefit people with special needs, this one is pretty easy. It’s easy to paint a pumpkin teal in preparation for the spooky night and it can be a lot of fun for the family or even for a date night inside. There are even templates for the pumpkin faces here.
Blue Pumpkins At Lexington
This season, we want to see all of our Lexington members get the opportunity to enjoy this fall holiday to the fullest extent they can. Even if they are not fans of going out and trick-or-treating or all the festive Halloween decorations, there is still a lot of fun to be had during this time of year.
1. Orange
This is the traditional color of pumpkins and what you’ll usually see if you were to go to a pumpkin patch or to a store to get one to carve. Pie pumpkins are usually orange as well but tend to have smoother sides than those that are used for carving. An orange pumpkin is also one that is ripe and can be picked from the vine.
2. Green
If you see a green pumpkin while you’re at a farm, then leave it alone so that it can continue to ripen. Pumpkins are usually light green when they begin growing before they turn darker. A dark green pumpkin is one that is almost ready to turn orange so that it can be picked.
4. Yellow
You’ve probably seen yellow pumpkins in stores that are artificially colored, but there are some varieties that grow and turn yellow instead of orange. Many of the giant pumpkins that are grown are yellow or white when they are small and then turn yellow after some time.
5. White
A bright white pumpkin is rare and is often associated with the Casper variety. These are pumpkins that typically glisten a bit more when they have a candle inside, after they are carved, and will likely turn a few more heads if you put the pumpkin on display.
6. Blue
There are a few different meanings behind blue pumpkins. The Australian Blue Pumpkin grows in nature and has a beautiful bluish appearance. These are often used for decoration. Blue pumpkins are also commonly used to show support for autism.
7. Teal
Closely related to blue pumpkins are those that are teal. Many of the teal pumpkins that you see usually signify that the person carrying a container of that color has a food allergy, or that the person who lives in the home where the teal pumpkin is displayed has food allergies.
8. Purple
Purple pumpkins are associated with epilepsy. You could get a purple pumpkin to show your support for someone who has the condition or to show that someone who lives in your home has epilepsy.
