The introduction of Halloween’s favorite pumpkin
Irish immigrants who introduced Halloween to America chose to carve pumpkins instead of their traditional turnips, echoing the legend of a cursed man navigating his way with a light in a turnip. It wasn’t until the 1960s that America would see the Howden pumpkin, a pumpkin bred especially for Halloween carving. It’s shallow flesh and sturdy stem make it perfect for carving—but not ideal for eating.
