Happy harvesting! It's Pumpkin Day!

Linda Ann Nickerson

Hey, pumpkin! It's October 7, and that means today is Pumpkin Day. Have you picked your Halloween pumpkins yet? Are you roasting those pumpkin seeds?

Happy harvesting! It's Pumpkin Day!
Happy harvesting! It's Pumpkin Day!


Pumpkin patches are open for business, with cornstalks and autumn gourds displayed on hay bales. Horse-drawn wagons await school field trip groups for bouncy rides out to the fields, where children will select their perfect pumpkins for Halloween carving.

Kids are coming home from pumpkin patch outings with pumpkins to display and cravings for roasted pumpkin seeds.


Need help with pumpkin decorating?


Check out "7 Simple Ways to Decorate Halloween Pumpkins" and "Simple Steps for Carving Artificial Pumpkins" for countless creative pumpkin carving, painting and decorating ideas and instructions.


Do you love roasted pumpkin seeds?


These family favorites are so easy to make! Just scoop the seeds out of your pumpkins, and wash them in clean water. Dry the seeds thoroughly with paper towels.


Preheat your oven to 300 (F) degrees. (Adjust the temperature downwards, if your oven tends to run hot.)


Place the pumpkin seeds in a zippered plastic bag with some olive oil and sea salt. Close up the bag, and shake it vigorously until all the pumpkin seeds are shiny and coated.


Cover a large rectangular baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread seasoned pumpkin seeds in a single layer on top. Roast them for 10-15 minutes, stirring and flipping the seeds over every 4-5 minutes. Do not overcook!


Let pumpkin seeds cool for at about 5 minutes before sharing these traditional and crunchy Halloween snacks.


Remember the Great Pumpkin?


As Halloween Night draws near, watch your local television listings for reruns of the Peanuts' classic, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." Till then, here's the soundtrack song and a few glimpses from this Halloween holiday classic.


Happy pumpkin hunting and jack o' lantern carving! It's Pumpkin Day.


More from Linda Ann:

Practice Creative Pumpkin Carving for Charity with Free Halloween Stencil Downloads

30 Fun Free Pumpkin Carving Stencils for Halloween

What Are the Favorite and Least Favorite Halloween Candy Treats?