Pumpkins wearing faces, costumes, candy, the doorbell ringing, scary stories and witches. These elements are all so very much part of our modern Halloween celebration. We love to dress up and be silly for one evening per year! We love the memories that come with the carving of pumpkins! We love the taste of honey coated apples from the oven! Halloween became a tradition but where did it originate? What’s the source and the true meaning behind our goofy celebrations?
It all started with the ancient Celtic feast of Samhain. Samhain was originally celebrated on the first of November and meant as a day to think about all the loved ones that we lost that year. Exactly at midnight all those wondering souls were allowed to pass on further to the realm of the ‘otherworld’ and were truly set free from the attachments of the past life. Bonfires were lit and illuminated the surrounding countryside during the cold and pitch black night. Offerings of food and drink were given to comfort the wondering spirits.
It’s was a celebration drenched in reverence for the dead, topped with a mixture of spookiness and joy of life. Much as it is today really!
We had meals with names like Ganser Salad, Pricilla Popped Corn, Rob's Rarebit, Zephyrettes, Sultana Fudge and German Punch. Made with ingredients such as corn, apples, pumpkins and turnips. Much as we use today really!
So on this day especially: celebrate the fun of life and enjoy the bountiful array of autumn produce. The recipe below will help you on your way...
Be Pump-kin(d) Cake (serves 12)
2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 Tbs. baking powder
1 Tbs. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter/ghee softened
1 1/2 cups raw brown sugar
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 3/4 cups fresh pumpkin purée
Preheat oven to 350F. Coat 10-inch square pan with non-stick spray.
Combine flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Beat butter and sugar in separate bowl until fluffy. Mix eggs and pumpkin into butter mixture. Gradually stir flour mixture into pumpkin mixture. Spread in pan.
