PUMPKIN---FRUIT OR VEGETABLE?
PUMPKIN---FRUIT OR VEGETABLE?
When the pumpkin is on the vine . . . it's autumn time! South Carolina farmers are in a pumpkin frenzy, right now, shipping their produce to markets throughout the state for the Halloween and Thanksgiving season.
Most people think that pumpkins are vegetables. In fact, they are fruit---berries, to be exact. Pumpkins, gourds, and other varieties of squash are all members of the Curcurbitaceae family, which also includes cucumbers and melons. Although pumpkins may not bear too close a resemblance to typical berries, like blueberries, raspberries, or tomatoes, they all share a distinguishing characteristic. They are formed from the pistil of a single flower.
Pumpkins have been growing in America for over 5,000 years. They are indigenous to the western hemisphere and were completely unknown in Europe before the time of Columbus. In 1584, the French explorer, Jacques Cartier, reported from the St. Lawrence region that he had found gros melons, which was translated into English not as "big melons," but as "pompions," or pumpkins. Pumpkins and other forms of squash made up one leg of the triad---maize, beans and squash---that once formed the basic diet of the American Indians. Some form of pumpkin was likely served at the first Thanksgiving feast, although it probably was not in the form of a pumpkin pie.
Before the arrival of the pumpkin to Great Britain, to celebrate "Punkie Night" on October 28 each year, children made lanterns from beets or other vegetable roots on which they carved pretty scenes, masks, or other designs, hollowed them out, and put a candle inside. They carried the lanterns from house to house to see their way while begging for pennies.
Jack-O-Lantern, the common symbol of Halloween in America, probably derived its name from that of a night watchman. The hollowed out pumpkin was carved in the appearance of a demonic face and lit with a candle inside to scare away ghosts and goblins of the evening.
Today, we still celebrate Halloween with Jack-O-Lanterns, but pumpkin carving and painting has become a creative form of expression to many artisans and hobbists. Aside from the spooky or funny faces, almost any motif can be used to carve or paint pumpkins for holiday decorations. Also, at this time of the year the pumpkin and other fall fruits and vegetables are often displayed in a cornucopia as a symbol of our bountiful food supply, and a hollow pumpkin is a great way to serve a soup or stew.
Pumpkins are not only beautiful seasonal decorations, but they are also one of our most versatile forms of nutrition. They are low in calories, fat and sodium, and high in fiber, and they are loaded with vitamins A and B as well as potassium. Protected by a hard outside rind for a long shelf life, pumpkin pulp is used in a variety of tasty delights including breads, cookies, pies, soups, and custards. Also, toasted pumpkin seeds, which are high in protein, vitamin B, and iron, are becoming a favorite snack during the season.
Purchase pumpkins which have a firm rind and a bright appearance. The larger Halloween-type pumpkins are better for decorations, and the smaller ones are best suited for cooking and baking pies.
Whether you want a pumpkin for a "trick" or a "treat", you can find the one for you and your family at one of the three State Farmers Markets in Columbia, Greenville, and Florence, or at your local supermarket, roadside market, or pick-your-own operation. South Carolina grown pumpkins abound.
The sweet smell of
pumpkin pie and the warm coziness of home are simple pleasures
that remind us of how good life can be. Enjoy one of those
simple pleasures this holiday season. Pick up a pumpkin for
you and your family to enjoy and from all of us at the South
Carolina Department of Agriculture have a very happy and safe
Halloween!
SC PUMPKIN MARKETERS
BEAUFORT
Lowcountry Produce
Open Year Round
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Contact: Dwight & Martha Garrett,
843-846-9438
Location: 1919 Trask Pky. (just outside
of Beaufort, SC) in Lobeco, SC
Pumpkin Patch with haystack, face
painting, puppet show, prizes, refreshments, games, and picnic
area, barnyard animals, country store, jams, jellies, honey, and
gifts, etc.
CHARLESTON
Ambrose Family Farm
(Ambrose Family Farm is a division of
Palmetto Point Farm and Stono Farm Market.)
Open Oct 1 - Oct 31
(8:30 AM - 3 PM, M-F) School/Scout
Groups, Public: (Fri - 3 PM - Dark 9 PM or so), (Sat - 9 AM
– Dark), (Sun - 10 AM - 6 PM)
Contact: Babs & Pete Ambrose, Petie
& Kim Ambrose, and Barbara Ambrose and Ken Crowley,
843-559-9022
Location: Selkirk Plantation, Liberia
Rd., Wadmalaw Island, SC
Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze - 11 acres
(Oct 1 - Oct 31) School & Scout Groups must Book in Advance
and Pumpkin Patch
Plantation U-Pick
Aug 5 – Aug 31
9 AM - 6 PM
Contact: Willie McCrae, 843-884-437
Location: Hwy. 17 N., Mt. Pleasant, SC
Pumpkin Patch (Aug 5 – Aug 31)
CHESTER
Cotton Hills Farm
Open Sept 1 - Nov 10
Tours for groups over 20 by appointment
Contact: Jeff & Carol Wilson,
803-581-2221
Location: Intersection of U.S. 321 and
909 North of Lowrys in Chester County
Farm Tours for groups over 20. Includes
maze, farm animals, wagon rides, pick cotton, pumpkins for sale.
Log cabin rental sleeps 6 year round. Stone grinding of corn for
grits and meal.
Wilson Brothers
2633 Lowrys Hwy.
Chester, SC 29706
Open Sept 29 – Oct 1
Contact: Jeb and Peter Wilson,
803-581-2221
Location: 2633 Lowrys Hwy., Chester, SC
Harvested pumpkins, wholesale and retail
COLUMBIA
Columbia State Farmers Market
Open Year round
Contact: Lee Sowell, 803-737-4664
Location: Across from Williams-Brice
Stadium on Bluff Rd. in Columbia
Harvested Pumpkins, wholesale and retail
FLORENCE
Pee Dee State Farmers Market
Open Year round
Contact: Betty Boykin, 843-665-5154
Location: 2513, W. Lucas St. on Hwy. 52
Harvested Pumpkins, wholesale and retail
GREENVILLE
Beechwood Farms
102 Beechwood Rd.
Marietta, SC 29661
Contact: Elizabeth Ledford, 864-836-7465
Location: 102 Beechwood Rd.
Pumpkins
Greenville State Farmers Market
Open Year round
Contact: Jack Watson, 864-244-4024
Location: 1354 Rutherford Rd. in
Greenville
Harvested Pumpkins, wholesale and retail
HORRY
Indigo Farms
Open Year Round
Generally 8 AM - 5 PM, Varies Upon
Season
Contact: O.K. Bellamy, 843-399-6902
Location: Hwy. 57, 4 miles east of Hwy.
9, Little River, SC
Farm Heritage Day (Oct 6) Pumpkin Day
(Oct 20) pumpkin painting, pumpkin patch, horse rides. Night time
hayrides (reservations required). Fall School Tour.
LAURENS
Stewart Farms
6380 Hwy. 92
Enoree, SC 29335
Open Sept 22 – Oct 30
Contact: Greg and Angie Broome,
864-969-6226
Location: Take highway 221 to Lanford.
Turn west on Highway 92. Farm is 2 miles on left.
Pumpkins
Pumpkin Patch
5602 Hwy. 39
Mountville, SC 29370
Contact: Dale Taylor, 864-994-4851
Location: Between Cross Hill and Laurens
on Hwy. 39.
Pumpkins
OCONEE
Barnett Farm
Open Fall & Spring (Seasonal)
Contact: J. Henry & Lucy Barnett,
864-638-6103
Location: 530 Oak Grove Rd., located
between Westminster & Walhalla, 2 miles west on Oak Grove Rd.
off Hwy. 183
Farm Tours, Tractor Drawn Hayrides,
Ornamental Farm Produce (Pumpkins, Indian Corn, Gourds,
Cornstalks, Wheat Straw), Boer Cross Goats, Fall Vegetables
(Collards, Greens,
Swiss Chard, Brussel Sprouts, Broccoli)
ORANGEBURG
Hinnant Farm
Open Apr-Aug-Oct
8 AM-6 PM
Contact: John L. Hinnant, Jr.,
803-492-3788
Location: 3 miles west of Eutawville on
Hwy. 6
Pumpkins and pecans
PICKENS
Winslett's Produce
Open Sept 24 - Oct 31
8 AM - 7 PM
Contact: James P. Winslett, 864-855-1176
Location: 505 Powdersville Rd., Easley,
SC
Pumpkins
SPARTANBURG
Nivens' Apple Farm
Open Aug 15th thru Thanksgiving (or
until apples are gone)
8 AM - 6 PM
Contact: Don and Katherine M. Nivens,
864-574-8889 or 864-576-4195
Location: 2.2 miles west of Moore, SC
from Hwy. 290 or Exit 63, 6.2 miles east of I-85 down Hwy. 290
toward Moore, SC
Pumpkins
YORK
Bush-N-Vine
Open Early Apr-Oct
Fall hours: (9 AM - 5 PM, M-Sat)
Contact: Robert M. (Bob) Hall,
803-684-2732
Location: 1650 N. Hwy. 321 between York
and Clover
Cut pumpkins, fall berries (Oct-Dec)
Windy Hill Orchard and Cider Mill
Open Aug – Dec
9 AM - 6 PM, M - Sat., Closed Sun
Contact: Fritz & Catherine Gusmer,
803-684-0690
Location: 3 miles west of downtown York
on Hwy. 5, York, SC
Pumpkins, etc. Educational Farm Tours.
Farms or markets selling directly to the public not listed that wish to be included in the SC Farm Operations/Roadside Markets Fall and Spring Activities list, should call Brad Boozer, Marketing and Promotion, SC Department of Agriculture, 803-734-2200.