A pumpkin patch:
In THE BATTLE OF WHISKY, Scottish single malt whisky won a famous battle, with American Bourbon whiskey, American Tennessee whiskey and Canadian blended whisky coming next in the poll on whisky.
Now it's the turn of the pumpkin to do battle. It is Halloween (or All Hallows' Day) today.
Pumpkin, at least for me, is a funny term. Pumpkin. It seems there are two explanations how pumpkins got their name. First, the pumpkin word is derived from the Ancient Greek and Latin words, pepลn, and more latterly the old French word, 'pompon', and the old English word, 'pumpion'. Or second, the word derives from a Native American word, pรดhpukun. The Wampanoag were and still are Native Americans living in Massachusetts, quite close to the Plymouth Colony where the first English pilgrims settled. In my opinion, these two potentially plausible explanations aren't contradictory. I love knowing how words get their names and how words travel.
This poll is simply about all things pumpkin that can be eaten or drunk.
My most favourite pumpkin food is pumpkin soup. In fact it's the only pumpkin food that I enjoy, though I can handle pumpkin seeds on bread and cakes.
Creamy pumpkin soup:
My least favourite pumpkin food is pumpkin pie. What's the point of pumpkin pie and pumpkins generally. Along with celery, pumpkins should be abolished. The United Nations need to take urgent action and stop being sidetracked with what's happening in Darfur, Gaza and Ukraine. Only kidding!
What are your most and least favourite types of pumpkin-based foods and drinks?
If you celebrate Halloween, do you use pumpkins as decorations? And if so, have you ever carved a pumpkin?
I'm not a big Halloweener. At most, I may dish out sweets (candies to my American friends) to any trick-or-treaters knocking on my door. But kids generally stay away from my house - perhaps they've heard that I'm Chitty Chitty Bang Bang's Childcatcher! I've never kidnapped a child and I've never carved a pumpkin.
Below is a poll where you can anonymously select your most favourite pumpkin-based food or drink. Unfortunately only one pick is allowed in the poll. If you don't like any pumpkin food or drinks, please don't vote but please do comment even just to say you don't like pumpkins to eat or drink.
Because a poll on this site can only have a maximum of 20 answer options, unfortunately there was no room as poll options for: pumpkin chilli/chili, pumpkin curry, pumpkin dessert (eg fakthong kaeng buat), pumpkin dumplings, pumpkin gravy/jus, pumpkin hummus, pumpkin pancakes/waffles, pumpkin pizza, pumpkin porridge (eg hobak-juk), pumpkin risotto, pumpkin tea (eg pumpkin spice tea) and pumpkin water. No doubt I've missed other pumpkin-based foods and drinks, but there's always the 'other' option for those not listed in the poll. Hopefully I've covered all the popular types of pumpkin foods and drinks as poll options because I never want 'other' to win a poll.
I think pumpkin pie will win, but pumpkin seeds, pumpkin soup and pumpkin spice will also do well in the poll.
Please see the first comment below to see what has won each battle of the food and drinks so far.
Carved pumpkins:
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24 comments
My dad always stoutly refused to eat pumpkin pie (even at Thanksgiving) because he said it looked like baby shit. ๐ฉ๐
Your Dad had a point!
I've only ever had a pumpkin curry, a pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice spread - they pumpkin-spice everything over there. And then I've been experimenting with roasting pumpkin seeds and doing various things with them - chili, salt, vinegar, honey, even grinding to powder to add to various things and as a thickener, all deelish. Apparently they have medical benefits for brain disorders which manifest as tremors and the like, my brother swears by them.
I'd banish celery right enough, but pumpkins I don't mind, especially the seeds. So it's seeds for me!
Another good poll, though nothing can ever equal the glorious victory of the jocks in the battle of the whisky/ey!! ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
The Scottish single malt whisky's hard-fought victory will be far more than a footnote in the history books!
@mufdiver69er2
I was surprised that Tennessee was so far back. Given that JD was my first intro to american whiskey it has a soft spot for me. But I have moved on to bourbons for the variety and the more whisky-like characteristics.
I need to spend some time trying rums, and also the japanese malts, I've tried a few but it seems that there are many more that I need to look into.
But hey, at the end of the day, they're all just trying to emulate the holiest of grails, the scottish single malt!! โค๏ธ๐บ๐
@mufdiver69er2
Never heard of that bourbon, will look out for it next time I'm over.
I've tried a few rums, not many, but I did get a taste for Ron de Havana when I was there in the early noughties.
The other spirit/liquor I've grown very fond of is tequila, Herradura Blanca de Mexico is my current fav but I've not been back to it for a few years. You've caused some salivation muftie, it is of course all your fault!! ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
@mufdiver69er2
I reckon we should round em all up and send them to Mexico, but only if they bring back some tequila for thee n me to enjoy!
I'm not a fan of pumpkin, but I can do butternut squash in small amounts.
I don't like pumpkin nor butternut squash.
Pumpkin blossoms, battered and fried. Delicious
I've never heard of pumpkin blossoms before.
I love pumpkin muffins, bread and cake! I like pumpkin pie. I love it if it has a graham cracker crust
I'll eat pumpkin bread but I'll skip the pumpkin muffins and cakes.
I make and sell for about 20 years pumpkin rolls. There is no other deliciousness like my pumpkin rolls and I can have people swear by them . That's the only pumpkin I can handle. I can't handle the texture of pumpkin pie. I did one bake a couple pumpkin pies with this really great walnut topping, and I could tolerate that but to eat a piece of pumpkin pie bleach
I've never eaten a pumpkin roll. I'm a virgin on that front!
Iโm it sure there is a good way to make pumpkin. Certainly not where pumpkin is the dominant flavor
Does pumpkin have a distinctive flavour?
I think it is the delicate mix of spices that are used with pumpkin that truly makes it. Itโs how they compliment the pumpkin flavor and not overpower it. That also is what makes pumpkin ideal in various desserts.
You are being commendably fair to the humble pumpkin.
@spunkycumfun It is with different food items that are blah on there own but become vibrant with spices. Yeah, I love cinnamon.
@Terracamo814 Spices help a lot of foods taste better.
Another great battle especially for Halloween today my friend. I did vote but it wasn't for Pumpkin Pie. There is something so special about a nice warm piece of Pumpkin Bread.
I hope you enjoy a safe and very Happy Halloween.. ๐๐โ ๐ป๐งโโ๏ธ
I can eat pumpkin bread. Happy Halloween!
Pumpkin pie with whip cream. Pumpkin seeds are tasty if you roast them. ๐
Happy Halloween!
Pie
You can have my pumpkin pie. Happy Halloween!
@spunkycumfun ๐ ๐ ๐ Happy Halloween ๐ป ๐งโโ๏ธ ๐งโโ๏ธ
What are your most and least favourite types of pumpkin-based foods and drinks? - The ONLY pumpkin thing I eat are the seeds, roasted and lightly salted.
If you celebrate Halloween, do you use pumpkins as decorations? And if so, have you ever carved a pumpkin? - YES, I carved two last night into Jack-O-Lanterns and of course extracted and roasted the seeds.
Pumpkin seeds are okay, especially on bread. Happy Halloween!
@spunkycumfun No, no, no. Just eat them by themselves (after roasting and salting).
@CleavageFan4U I've never seen pumpkin seeds in supermarkets here.
@spunkycumfun I don't buy them that way. I only get them this time of year after I extract them from the Halloween pumpkins.
@CleavageFan4U I need to buy a pumpkin then.
... hmmm I don't like pumkin... to me is not food
The existence of pumpkins just shows that the theory of evolution has its flaws!
For the record, Brussels sprouts won THE BATTLE OF THE VEGETABLES, bananas won THE BATTLE OF THE FRUITS, basil won THE BATTLE OF THE HERBS, garlic won THE BATTLE OF THE SPICES, cashew nuts won THE BATTLE OF THE NUTS, sunflower seeds won THE BATTLE OF THE SEEDS, roast beef won THE BATTLE OF THE ROAST DINNERS, cheesecake won THE BATTLE OF THE PUDDINGS, pepperoni won THE BATTLE OF THE PIZZA TOPPINGS, Caesar salad won THE BATTLE OF THE SALADS, green beans won THE BATTLE OF THE BEANS, watermelon won THE BATTLE OF THE MELONS, tomato-based pasta sauce won THE BATTLE OF THE HOT SAUCY DIPS, barbecue sauce won THE BATTLE OF THE COOL SAUCY DIPS, vanilla ice cream won THE BATTLE OF THE ICE CREAMS, capellini (aka angel hair) won THE BATTLE OF THE PASTAS, steak won THE BATTLE OF THE BARBECUE, romaine lettuce won THE BATTLE OF THE LETTUCES, honeycrisp apples won THE BATTLE OF THE APPLES, stout won THE BATTLE OF THE BEERS, whisky won THE BATTLE OF THE SPIRITS, clam chowder won THE BATTLE OF THE SOUPS, sourdough bread won THE BATTLE OF THE BREADS, liver won THE BATTLE OF THE OFFAL, roast turkey won THE BATTLE OF CHRISTMAS FOODS, Old Fashioned won THE BATTLE OF THE COCKTAILS, Americano coffee won THE BATTLE OF THE COFFEES, green tea won THE BATTLE OF THE TEAS, maple syrup won THE BATTLE OF THE PANCAKES, barbecue sauce won THE BATTLE OF THE CONDIMENTS, ribeye steak won THE BATTLE OF THE STEAKS, portobello mushrooms won THE BATTLE OF THE MUSHROOMS, beefsteak tomatoes won THE BATTLE OF THE TOMATOES, barbecue crisps won THE BATTLE OF THE CRISPS, strawberries won THE BATTLE OF THE BERRIES, crab won THE BATTLE OF THE SHELLFISH, vanilla yogurt won THE BATTLE OF THE YOGURTS, jasmine rice won THE BATTLE OF THE RICE, chicken wings won THE BATTLE OF HOT FINGER FOODS, cheeses won THE BATTLE OF COLD FINGER FOODS, dry red wine won THE BATTLE OF THE WINES, tap water won THE BATTLE OF WATER, blueberry muffins won THE BATTLE OF THE MUFFINS, cheese won THE BATTLE OF THE CHARCUTERIE, cow milk hard cheese won THE BATTLE OF THE CHEESE, burgers won THE BATTLE OF FAST FOOD, olive oil won THE BATTLE OF THE OILS, beef stew won THE BATTLE OF THE STEW, cow milk won THE BATTLE OF THE MILK, butter won THE BATTLE OF THE BAKED POTATO, salad won THE BATTLE OF THE SIDE DISH, pizza won THE BATTLE OF THE SAVOURY PIE, apple pie won THE BATTLE OF THE SWEET PIE, coffee won THE BATTLE OF THE HOT BEVERAGE, iced tea won THE BATTLE OF THE COLD BEVERAGE, salmon won THE BATTLE OF THE FISHES, rice won THE BATTLE OF THE GRAINS, cheese won THE BATTLE OF THE OMELETTE, cream won THE BATTLE OF THE DOUGHNUTS, chocolate won THE BATTLE OF THE MILKSHAKES, butter won THE BATTLE OF THE TOAST TOPPINGS, salted peanuts won THE BATTLE OF THE PEANUTS, and strawberry jam won THE BATTLE OF THE JAM, flaky pastry won THE BATTLE OF THE PASTRY, bacon sandwich won THE BATTLE OF THE SANDWICH, orange juice won THE BATTLE OF THE JUICES, chocolate won THE BATTLE OF THE COOKIES, and Scottish single malt whisky won THE BATTLE OF WHISKY.