It was an essentially religious festival during which it was said that earthly and divine worlds came together and it was easy for men to communicate with the beyond. The period of Samhain was an occasion of great feasting rituals, animal sacrifices and offerings of fruits and vegetables.
In these customs, which coincide with the end of harvest and the return of cattle to the barn, were grafted beliefs. Some are related to the tricks played by ghosts, others are associated with the Roman goddess of flowers and fruits, Pomona, honored after the harvest. Finally, other, still practiced today, celebrating with light bonfires and lanterns plant.
The Anglo-Saxon festival of Halloween, well known in the United States where she was introduced by the Irish in the nineteenth century, has returned to Europe. Children, after collecting candy or money, then meet with one of them to play with seasonal fruits (apples, walnuts, chestnuts ...).
Before the houses, shining lanterns grinning, made with hollow pumpkins. In many parts of Europe, the lantern plant (beet or turnip), representing a death's head was often used to conjure the strength of the nocturnal powers.
Like all winter squash, pumpkin is a vegetable-fruit very hydrated and therefore little energy. It actually contains nearly 95% water and only brings 20Kcal/100g.
Its pretty orange color is related to the strong presence of carotenoid pigments, antioxidants that protect our cells from premature aging. These pigments, which the protective effect vis-à-vis cancer and cardiovascular disease is well established, are also involved in the functioning of the immune system.
Pumpkin also contains vitamin C, but is largely destroyed by cooking. It also provides the vitamin-E (antioxidant) and folic acid (antianemic). Potassium predominates (323mg/100g) and it should be noted the content interesting calcium (27mg/100g). To keep the pumpkin minerals during the cooking, it is preferable to use the mode to on stewed or in soup preparation.
Finally, we note the presence of fiber (hemicellulose, cellulose) that stimulate the bowel.
Pumpkin and the pumpkin became emblematic of Halloween. Is cut in the bark of scary characters in order to burn a candle to ward off evil spirits, and we appreciate his flesh sweet, watery and subtly perfumed. This festival provides an opportunity to discover them in all their ...
THE MENU FOR HALLOWEEN
- Appetizer: roasted pumpkin seeds (washed and dried, they will be coated with vegetable oil, salt and roasted in the oven).
- Input: pumpkin cream with mussels (very thick soup embellished with shelled mussels, flavored with garlic and chervil).
- Dish: Mashed pumpkin flavored with nutmeg and smoked bacon, roasted quail (quail stuffed with fresh lemon will and spicy paprika).
- Dessert: pumpkin pie and candied orange peel (pastry topped with steamed pumpkin, peel and finely detailed sliced almonds, flavored with cinnamon).
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