Five interesting facts about pumpkins

Name is of Greek origin

The word “pumpkin” originated from the Greek word Pepõn which means large melon. The word gradually morphed by the French, English and then Americans into the word “pumpkin.”

They grow almost everywhere

The pumpkin plant is harvested on six different continents. Only Antarctica is unable to produce pumpkins.

Illinois produces the most

Illinois is the No. 1 pumpkin-producing state in the nation, yielding three times more than any other state. Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and California also grow plenty of pumpkins.

Did Columbus sow European seeds?

It is said Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus carried pumpkin seeds back with him to Europe.

A ton of pumpkin

The heaviest pumpkin ever weighed was 2,624.6 pounds and grown by Mathias Willemijns, of Belgium.

Source: justfunfacts.com