Yes it was originally turnips. but when the tradition moved to America it became pumpkins due to their greater availability and the lack of turnips. the christian folktale behind jack-o-lanterns is quite interesting.
Bryan, here in Switzerland the carving of turnips is done with enthusiasm. For some art, do a Google picture search on “räbeliechtli” or “raabeliechtli” to treat your eyes.
Traditionally there is a räbeliechtli-parade done at dusk with little children and their turnip (raabe) lanterns around this time of year.
What? There’s a greater availability of something? And a lack of the other thing that was normally used? This could not possibly happen at the same time.
You don’t, because turnips, as a fully grown root vegetable, do not have seeds. If you leave a turnip in the ground without waiting for the /roots/ to be ready, eventually the plant above will flower and that’s where you get the seeds.
So a turnip, as a vegetable, does not technically have seeds. At all.
I believe this practice should be extended toward other fruits, vegetables, and people I don’t like.
Well, I believe turnips were used originally…
Yes it was originally turnips. but when the tradition moved to America it became pumpkins due to their greater availability and the lack of turnips. the christian folktale behind jack-o-lanterns is quite interesting.
I’m having difficulty imagining someone cut open, hollow out and sticking a candle inside a turnip, probably mainly because they’re small.
Bryan, here in Switzerland the carving of turnips is done with enthusiasm. For some art, do a Google picture search on “räbeliechtli” or “raabeliechtli” to treat your eyes.
Traditionally there is a räbeliechtli-parade done at dusk with little children and their turnip (raabe) lanterns around this time of year.
Also, pumpkins are much easier to hollow out and stick a candle in…
What? There’s a greater availability of something? And a lack of the other thing that was normally used? This could not possibly happen at the same time.
NEVER! It’s like… some creationist MYTH for new traditions… Also, I love the name.
Nobody’s gonna talk about the “and people I don’t like” bit?
What I have a problem with is…how do you roast the seeds of a turnip?
You don’t, because turnips, as a fully grown root vegetable, do not have seeds. If you leave a turnip in the ground without waiting for the /roots/ to be ready, eventually the plant above will flower and that’s where you get the seeds.
So a turnip, as a vegetable, does not technically have seeds. At all.
I’ve always found jack-o-lanterns to be a waste of good empanada material.
Hmm…never had pumpkin empanadas, sounds awesome, would make for an interesting change from my favored whipped cream delivery vehicle, pumpkin pie.