Pumpkin Season

It’s that time of year where we explore the great outdoors and the trees’ bright red and orange leaves, pumpkin patches, carve jack-o-lanterns, bake up some pies and treat ourselves to pumpkin spice lattes.

Pumpkin, without added sugar and flours, can actually be pretty healthy for you. The flesh of the pumpkin contains beta-carotene, which the body converts to Vitamin A. This cool little nutrient is good for vision, immunity, reproduction, growth, etc. The squash also has minute traces of magnesium, zinc, vitamin b, and phosphorus. It’s also jam-packed with anti-oxidants that will help your body deal with free radicals.

The seeds can be eaten as well and are just as beneficial, on top of providing you another source of protein. Like the flesh, there are vitamins to be found. But did you know that the seeds also have an amino acid, tryptophan, which is good for sleep!

So, what are some fun and cute ideas for the pumpkin season?

You might be surprised to find new trails and walkways in your own city. It was surprising to wander down the trails of Barrie and find multiple apple trees free to pick. Many people stopped to grab a few on their walk. Autumn is the perfect time to grab these fresh, delicious treats.

Even if you do go out of your way to find a trail away from home, you’ll be sure to discover some stunning paths just alive with colour. In Ontario, you’ll find hundreds of cool spaces that are like walking a fairy tale. Here are some great examples: Grieg’s Caves, Bruce’s Caves, the Cup and Saucer Trail, Bridal Veil Falls, and Eramosa Karst.

While every farm will have unique features for their clients to explore, there are some key ingredients that comprise most patches.

Usually, there will also be a corn maze to try and escape — almost like a labyrinth. Of course, depending on the size of the field and age of participants it could go up or down in difficulty.

It’s also the perfect spot for a photo session, either with your kids, significant other or friends. Just think of all the wild fun you’ll have posing for photos in a field filled with colours. The themes are endless: farmer, witches and wizards, pets, farm animals, mother nature and father time.

You might also find small rides on the back of a trailer where the hay bales are transported. They should have safety features installed should that be the case, but there’s nothing like a ride of the farm to enjoy the fresh air, glistening fall leaves and chat with friends.

Some people may grow out of the phase to carve a pumpkin or two, but some of the artwork out there is now astounding. If you have children, grandchildren, younger cousins, friends with children, teach children, etc. you may inspire their inner artist with this fun little activity.

You can get carving tools at the Dollar Store or Dollarama for a few bucks, then you’ll be well on your way to your masterpieces. Some people use pen or marker to outline their design, shading with the marker can also be helpful if you’re going for intricate. Once you take the top off and scoop out all the gooey goodness inside, you can begin cutting into the skin.

Depending on how much flesh you manage to scoop out, you may be able to make a solid pie or two. But first, spices assemble!

What are the great signs of a majestic pumpkin pie? Well, first of all, the spices are an integral part of the fall flavourings. What are some of these tasty spices, you ask?

1. Cinnamon

Ahhh… the staple of fall flavour. True cinnamon comes from the country of Sri Lanka (which used to be known as Ceylon), South America, West Indies, the Malabar Coast in India and Myanmar (previously Burma). There are some related plants that you can pass off as cinnamon if you’re seeking alternatives a little less costly. Think cassia or loureiroi, as examples.

It is a versatile spice and often used for essential oil, liquors, perfumes, and baking or drink ingredients. Its history is a little more complex, however, as ancient Egyptians used to seek out this spice for use in embalming and religious ceremonies. Europe, in the Medieval age, used it for religious practices and flavouring.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of recipes available to you when it comes to creating your ultimate spice mix. Sure, you could go to the store and buy the box labeled Pumpkin Spice. But if you create your own concoction that’s the perfect balance for your tastebuds then why not take the five minutes to treat yourself? You wait that long in line for a coffee, on average.

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