THE PUMPKIN “MUSCADE DE PROVENCE” ARRIVES IN OUR SHOPS.
THE SUNNIEST FALL VEGETABLE.
It is in Provence, close to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, in the hamlet of Petit-Palais, that the biggest producer of organic “nutmeg” pumpkins of France is located. Going on the road of Apt to Avignon, you will not miss the beautiful orange mountains... The pumpkins are piled up on enormous wooden pallets waiting to be sliced, carefully packaged and sent throughout France.
THE PUMPKIN... AT THE MARKET AND IN OUR PLATES.
In the south of France, this vegetable cannot be missed, present in the stalls of the markets, especially the producers’ markets and even more especially the market of the Petit-Palais.
Twenty years ago, the pumpkin grower, Marcel Serre, created this market close to his business; it takes place every Saturday morning from Easter to Christmas.
On October 15 the Pumpkin Festival will take place and many are those who, on that day, will share their recipes for various types of pumpkins: Nutmeg, spaghetti, butternut, patisson, potimarron...
In Provence we do not hesitate to buy the whole vegetable, no matter how big. We love it and eat it in soups, gratins, crumbles and even bread and pastry.
THE QUEEN OF AUTUMN SOUPS
It is prepared with a “Cucurbita moschata” or “Muscade de Provence” with a sweet and musky flavor with a taste of hazelnut... It goes very well with potatoes and chestnuts. Some add creme fraiche to make it sweeter and others prefer a dash of olive oil.
TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE COURGE MUSCADE OF PROVENCE.
Full of vitamins (A, B2, B5, B6, B9, C, and K) rich in manganese this vegetable, even though it is sweet, has few calories.
This “provencal pumpkin” is cultivated the same way as other cucurbits: melons, zucchinis... The plant looks quite like a melon plant.
Its dark green leaves are approximately 5 times bigger than those of a melon and they cover the field completely.
Contrary to the culture of the melon where only a few branches are left so that the fruits can grow, here, the plant grows freely.
Pumpkins appear in summer in order to gorge themselves with sun for at least 90 days.
Their dark green color, the same as for the leaves, makes it so the walker does not notice them immediately.
120 days of growth are necessary for it to reach its maximum flavor and it is only in September that the vegetable will take on this pretty orange color.
DID YOU KNOW?
Pumpkins can also be used to decorate:
Make a vase from a hollowed out pumpkin and create pretty autumnal bouquets mixing branches, berries and flowers...
And for Halloween, transform a pumpkin into a grimacing face lighted by candles.
