From Past to Plate: The Most Ancient Ingredients for Modern Meals

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Pumpkin: 10,000 Years of History

Pumpkins have been cultivated on the American continent for about 10,000 years and were reportedly brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus. While in Europe, pumpkins were primarily used for producing cooking oil, pickling, or as animal feed, they found early and versatile use in the United States. Thanks to Thanksgiving and later Halloween, pumpkins achieved a cult status in the U.S., leading to their increasing popularity in Europe. The rise in popularity of Asian cuisine, which also features pumpkin dishes, has further contributed to the growing appreciation of this versatile vegetable.