pumpkin

any of several creeping cucurbitaceous plants of the genus Cucurbita, esp C. pepo of North America and C. maxima of Europe

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

pumpkin

The seeds are the real nutritional powerhouse. They are a great source of protein and help with hair loss, prostate and hormone issues. Bodybuilders pay attention. High protein, zinc, magnesium, B vitamins, tryptophan. Good for heart disease, prostate, helps remove intestinal worms. Pumpkin seeds are especially good for tapeworms, roundworms and schistosomiasis. They contain a natural fat that is toxic to parasite eggs. Curcurbitin in pumpkin seeds has shown antiparasitic activity since it has the ability to paralyze worms so they drop off the intestinal walls. To rid body of worms, it is said to eat a big handful of raw pumpkin seeds 2 or 3 times a day on empty stomach for a week. Take a week off, then again for another week. If eaten with garlic, pumpkin seeds are even effective in flushing out pinworms. Pumpkins are very high in carotenoids (hence the orange color), which helps eyes and vision, free-radical scavenger for antiaging. They are used for beautiful skin, prostate cancer, antiinflammatory, arthritis, preventing kidney stones, depression. Pumpkin, squash and gourd flowers are beautiful additions to salads. Note: sprouting seeds produce toxic substance in its embryo.

What does it mean when you dream about a pumpkin?

Pumpkins might simply represent the fall season and harvest time, especially Halloween.

pumpkin

[′pəm·kən]

(botany)

Any of several prickly vines with large lobed leaves and yellow flowers in the genus Cucurbita of the order Violales; the fruit is orange-colored and large, with a firm rind.

pumpkin

turned into coach by Cinderella’s fairy godmother. [Fr. Fairy Tale: Cinderella]

See: Transformation

pumpkin

(jargon)

A humourous term for the token - the object (notional or real) that gives its possessor (the "pumpking" or the "pumpkineer") exclusive access to something, e.g. applying patches to a master copy of source (for which the pumpkin is called a "patch pumpkin").

Chip Salzenberg <chip@perl.com> wrote:

David Croy once told me once that at a previous job, there was one tape drive and multiple systems that used it for backups. But instead of some high-tech exclusion software, they used a low-tech method to prevent multiple simultaneous backups: a stuffed pumpkin. No one was allowed to make backups unless they had the "backup pumpkin".

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References in periodicals archive

To make a planter, simply line your carved pumpkin with newspaper, pack tightly with soil, add some seeds and then plant into the ground.

PUMPKINS AREN'T JUST FOR HALLOWEEN; WE'VE ALL STAGGERED OUT OF THE SUPERMARKET WITH OUR HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN, BUT THEY ARE A GREAT ADDITION TO YOUR VEG PATCH

Blair Drummond Safari Park manager Gary Gilmour said: "We had some monkey nuts inside the pumpkins and they kept trying to run away with them.

Monkeys get into spirit of Halloween

You probably won't find frozen pumpkin, but frozen pureed winter squash is a good substitute.

Quick & Easy Pumpkin Dishes

For the dogs packing some extra pounds, pumpkin can help in a weight-loss program.

Pumpkin's packed with nutrition

Pumpkins, big, usually orange squashes, are everywhere this time of year.

Pumpkin--a food for all reasons

Pour in about half of the pumpkin stock and bring to a simmer.

SOUP STARTER PUMPKIN SOUP WITH MAPLE-TOASTED SEEDS

"The pumpkin trend shows no sign of letting up," says Laura Hardin, communications manager at Nestle Professional, based in Solon, Ohio.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Mr. Retailer: when it comes to popularity, pumpkin continues to squash other seasonal flavors with no let-up in sight

this fall is serving up bowls of Pumpkin Spice Latte cereal at Kellogg's NYC, its cafe in Manhattan's Times Square.

New Products, Promos Mark Arrival of Fall

Participants with small pumpkins weighing 14-18 pounds Qike the ones you're likely to find at your local pumpkin farm or market) can design their own pumpkin car racers to compete in a Pumpkin Derby.

Gigantic pumpkin boats

A classic Thanksgiving dish perfectly executed, Yoder's pumpkin pie features a buttery, flaky crust and a spiced pumpkin filling; it's then smothered in whipped cream and topped with cinnamon.

Best pumpkin dessert

In 1997, the zucchini yellow mosaic virus destroyed 60 percent of Austria's Styrian pumpkin crop.

Streaker in the pumpkin patch: find a new favorite snack when you grow Styrian pumpkin varieties for their hull-less seeds

PUMPKIN SEEDS Whatever spooky design you have in store for your pumpkin, many people often make the mistake of wasting one of the best parts of the fruit in the very first stages of carving.

Make the most out of your pumpkin; Pumpkins aren't just for trick or treating, make use of this seasonal star with a host of delicious recipes..