Editor’s note: The following article is a synopsis written by staff members and volunteers of the Cary Public Library highlighting one of the suggested reading books, as determined by their staff.
When my children were little I often called them “Pumpkin” as a term of endearment. Little did I know even Shakespeare considered the pumpkin something to laugh at, joke about, as in his time the vegetable was depicted with human qualities of empty-headedness, associated with peasant farmers and general low-life.
Children seem to have forgiven the lack of history knowledge on my part.
“Pumpkin – The Curious History of an American Icon” by Cindy Ott is based on her doctoral dissertation, very well researched and plumb full of little surprises, tidbits, and fun to read. U.S. citizens enjoy the pumpkin most in the fall as a decoration (love those colors!), an amusement (jack-o-lantens abound), and as a fruit (delicious pumpkin desserts,,,). Millions of pumpkins are grown easily and at little expense to agriculture and have many uses including animal feed and beer, of all things.
Check out the witch anecdotes, Native American influences, attitudes of Europeans and numerous USDA references. A great book any time of year – might inspire you to grow a few of your own.
The Cary Public Library is open Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 532-1302.
