ORANGE ABUNDANCE

Even though I am "sansei" (third generation) and my family has been celebrating Thanksgiving since 1907, I used to wonder  -  what is the significance of pumpkin pie at every feast because I'm not a fan. 

It turns out that most gourds (squash, pumpkin) ripen in the autumn and need to be harvested before the first frost. 

Pumpkins have been harvested in North America for thousands of years and was a staple food source for the Indigenous.

Pumpkins symbolize abundance, gratitude, and thanksgiving.

I prefer my gourds roasted in the oven - coat with butter, liberally sprinkle brown sugar over the top, add seasoned salt on top of that, bake at 400F for about 45 minutes or until you can carve a spoon through the meat.