Smashing Pumpkin Myths: What's Big, Orange, and Having an Identity Crisis?
It\u2019s already begun: that time of the year now known across the land as Decorative Gourd Season. Squash are everywhere\u2014carved into jack o\u2019lanterns on front porches, adorning our sideboards and porches with strange shapes and autumn colors, and of course, baked into pies for fall celebrations. But get ready to rethink squash, because despite their slightly cheesy\xa0House Beautiful\xa0vibe and family-friendly pumpkin patch associations, they are\u2014and we quote\u2014"the most interesting plants in the world." Join us this episode as we explore our surprisingly long entanglement with the cucurbit family, from its star role as the very first plant domesticated in the Americas to the can of Libby's behind nine out of every ten pumpkin pies. Along the way, we figure out what on Earth the difference actually is between a squash and a pumpkin, and we get a sneak peek into the weird and wonderful world of giant pumpkins, where growers compete to break the two-ton barrier with fruits the size of a compact car.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices