November is Pumpkins and Sweet Potatoes Month

Posted by: Brenda Wills, Public Affairs Specialist, Kansas City

The months of October and November serve as a time to highlight the many uses of the pumpkin and the sweet potato. Pumpkins can be used for jack-o-lanterns in October and be served as delicious holiday foods in November. Using pumpkins as a holiday food during the month of November comes from the holiday traditions that pilgrims partook in many years ago. Pilgrims gave thanks for a bountiful harvest and called this Thanksgiving which is recognized in November. It would be hard to imagine Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie and a big dollop of whipped topping or sweet potatoes swimming in butter, brown sugar, topped with golden brown marshmallows.

Pumpkins are in the gourd family and grow above ground in warm-seasons throughout most of the United States. They range from small to large, are round, orange, have a thick rind, low calorie edible flesh, and many seeds. Their orange color comes from orange pigments that are rich in beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is high in vitamin A which is essential for normal growth, your immune system, and vision. Research indicates that a diet rich in foods containing beta-carotene may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer and offers protection against heart disease.

In addition to pumpkin pies, pumpkins can also be used in foods like pumpkin butter, custards, breads, cookies, cakes, and soups. See pumpkin recipes from the University of Illinois Extension.

Like the pumpkin, sweet potatoes are another delicious holiday food that comes in handy during the month of November. Occasionally referred to as yams, sweet potatoes are orange-colored root vegetables that grow underground. There are actually a couple of differences between sweet potatoes and yams. Sweet potatoes are orange inside while yams have white or cream-colored flesh. Both are sweet and release natural sugars slowly into the bloodstream which also helps stabilize your appetite. Sweet potatoes have more fiber than white potatoes, however, both contain about the same amount of carbohydrates.

Like pumpkins, sweet potatoes can also be used to make casseroles, side dishes, soups, breads, pies, smoothies, and even fries. Enjoy some sweet potato recipes from Allrecipes.com.

RMA provides coverage for both pumpkins and sweet potatoes on the County Crop Programs, Crop Policies and Pilots, and Handbooks pages.

Contact Information

For more information, contact RMA Public Affairs.