Vol. 19, No. 8	Oct. 21, 1999

Extension expert suggests shopping early for pumpkins

YoUDee pumpkin, carved by Ginger Pinholster, public relations

"First, the drought reduced the yield," said Ed Kee, Cooperative Extension specialist for vegetables. "Then, the wet conditions at the end of August made matters worse because lots of moisture favors the development of fungal diseases."

Kee estimates a 20-percent reduction in the pumpkin yield for Delaware, and probably also for Maryland, which may result in higher prices throughout the area.

Even so, those pursuing pumpkins don't need to panic. "There are still lots of pumpkins around," Kee said. In the four state region, nearly 30,000 acres are planted with pumpkins each year, he explained. Most of those vegetables are used as Halloween decorations.

With 2,000 to 4,000 pumpkins produced per acre, depending on size, "That's a heap of harvest!" Kee said. Despite the reduced yield, the region still offers some 70 million pumpkins, just waiting to be carved.

UD nutrition expert Marianne Carter recommends eating a little pumpkin this Halloween, too.

"Pumpkins are an excellent source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant linked to cancer prevention, as well as potassium," said Carter, a registered dietitian who serves as assistant director of the UD Wellness Center. "They're also low in calories and sodium and contain no fat and cholesterol."

Carter suggests eating pumpkin in soups and casseroles, or as filling for pies, pumpkin bread and muffins.

The following recipe "makes delicious muffins," Carter said, "and it will fill your house with a wonderful smell while baking."

-Pat McAdams
Photo by Jack Buxbaum

Pumpkin muffins