Stock Photography and PumpkinsThe original Native Americans would dry strips of pumpkin and weave them into mats. They would also roast long strips of pumpkin over the open fire and eat them. Pumpkin pie originated when the colonists sliced off the top of the pumpkin, and removed the seeds whilst filling the insides with spices, milk and honey. Then the pumpkin was baked in hot ashes.
The Jack-o-Lantern - Stock photography and pumpkins Jack o Lanterns have been made at Halloween for centuries but where did the idea originate from? There is a myth that says an Irish man nicknamed "Stingy Jack" invited the Devil to have a drink with him one day. Holding true to his name, Stingy Jack wouldn't pay for his drink, so he persuaded the Devil to transform himself into a coin which Jack could use to buy their drinks with. Once the Devil had changed into a coin, Stingy Jack kept the money and put it next to a silver cross in his pocket which prevented the Devil from changing back. Jack eventually let the Devil go under the agreement that he would not hassle Jack for one year, and that should Jack die, he would not be able to claim his soul. The following year, Jack tricked the Devil once more, into climbing a tree to pick some fruit. While the Devil was up the tree, Jack carved an image of the cross into the bark of the tree so that the Devil was not able to come down until he had promised Stingy Jack that he wouldn't bother him for another ten years. Then Jack died. As legend has it, God would not allow such an unsavoury character into heaven. The Devil, still upset by the tricks that Jack had played on him, kept his word and did not claim his soul. But he also would not allow Jack into hell. He simply sent Jack off into the night with just a burning piece of coal to light his way. Jack put it into a carved out turnip and legend goes that he has been roaming the lands with it ever since. Over time, the Irish referred to this lonely, ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and later on simply "Jack O'Lantern". |
