As Halloween approaches , the obsession with decorations and fall foods returns. Pumpkins are a staple of Halloween whether they are turned into jack-o-lanterns or used as flavoring to make some of our favorite fall treats. Carving pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns is a tradition that countless families participate in and it is seen as a fun way to get into the Halloween spirit. There are even jack-o-lantern contests that motivate kids and adults alike to carve their pumpkins to perfection in a competitive setting. The pumpkins necessary for these activities can be found at extravagant pumpkin patches that pop up around the beginning of October or just as at your local grocery store. These pumpkins are carved with an array of tools ranging from fancy specialized pumpkin saws or just your everyday kitchen knife. As the pumpkin is carved the seeds must be removed from the inside so it doesn’t rot when sitting on your lawn or front porch until November. The seeds are not always just disposed of though, there are many recipes that turn pumpkin seeds into delicious snacks to have around the house in the fall. Pumpkin seeds are roasted in some cases and eaten just like that but they can also be crushed up and used as a flavoring to make your favorite breads, cakes, or muffins taste like pumpkin. The most common way to make use out of your excess pumpkin is definitely making roasted pumpkin seeds which is a beloved snack for many, “Pumpkin Seeds are good, but a little brown sugar on them makes them so scrumptious” says passionate sophomore Nik Kothari. While there are recipes to minimize the waste of carving jack-o-lanterns they aren’t the priority of most families, most families want to build traditions that will give their children fond memories and just generally make halloween fun for them. While carving pumpkins to have ghost-like faces may seem odd it’s not just done as a random tradition, it originates from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack. This story is deeply rooted with Christianity but it has sparked a tradition that people of all religions participate in and this shows us what the power of tradition can do to unite people
