VERY RARE WABANAKI PENOBSCOT PUMPKIN

The Passamaquoddy people of Maine are once again growing and eating ancestral crops and saving often scarce seeds.

These simple but meaningful acts are linked to new research that sheds light on the sophisticated agriculture and plant-centric diet of the early Wabanaki of northeastern North America, who lived and farmed in what we call Maine for 12,000 years before European migration and colonization.

Planting these heirloom seeds is part of a broader Passamaquoddy effort to increase the amount of food produced on tribal lands.

All ancestral seeds have been linked to the communities of the Wabanaki Confederacy, which includes the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Maliseet, Mi'kmaq and Wabanaki (Abenaki).

In 2014, Koasek Abenakis of the Seeds of Renewal program and Frederick M. Wiseman, a retired humanities professor from Johnson State College who is Wabanaki, donated these ancestral seeds to the Passamaquoddy Tribe in Motahkokmikuk.

The following spring, the seeds were returned to the Passamaquoddy soil to finally flourish.

The Wabanaki (Abenaki) survived and took with them vital links to a rich agricultural past.

I feel privileged to offer you this very rare pumpkin, moreover I will offer seeds to the Wabanaki communities in Odanak and Wolinak in Quebec in 2024, to allow them to cultivate this variety which must be returned to their ancestral lands.

Please take care of them because they are very rare and only in small quantities!

Pumpkin, including the Wabanaki Penobscot variety, has several medicinal properties and health benefits:

Medicinal Properties of Pumpkin
Rich in Nutrients:

• Vitamins: Excellent source of vitamins A, C and E, which support the immune system and skin health.
  Minerals: Contains potassium, essential for heart health.
  Antioxidants:
• Rich in carotenoids (like beta-carotene) which help fight oxidative stress and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
  Dietary Fiber:
• Aids digestion, promotes gut health and may help with weight regulation.
  Anti-inflammatory properties:
• May help reduce inflammation in the body, beneficial for people suffering from inflammatory diseases.
  Eye Health Support:
• Vitamin A and other antioxidants help maintain good vision and prevent macular degeneration.
  Positive Effects on Heart Health:
• Potassium and fiber can help lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol.
  Mental Health Support:
• The presence of nutrients like magnesium can have beneficial effects on mood and mental well-being.
  Traditional Uses
• Used in various cultures to treat digestive disorders and as a general tonic.
  Conclusion
  Pumpkin is a nutritious food with multiple benefits, ideal for a healthy diet. Don't hesitate to include it in your meals!

Here are some cooking methods for pumpkin:

• 1. Roast in the oven
  Preparation: Preheat the oven to 200°C. Cut the pumpkin in half, remove the seeds and cut into pieces.
  Seasoning: Add olive oil, salt, pepper and herbs.
  Cooking: Roast for 30-40 minutes until tender.
• 2. Pumpkin Soup
  Ingredients: Pumpkin, onions, garlic, vegetable broth, spices.
  Preparation: Brown the onions and garlic, add the pumpkin cut into pieces and the broth.
  Mixing: Once cooked, mix until smooth.
• 3. Pumpkin Puree
  Preparation: Steam or boil the pumpkin until tender.
  Mixing: Mash or blend with a little butter, salt and pepper.
• 4. Pumpkin Gratin
  Preparation: Cut the pumpkin into thin slices.
  Assembly: Alternate with cream and cheese in a dish, then bake until the top is golden brown.
• 5. Bakery
  Bread or Muffin Recipe: Use pumpkin puree to add moisture and flavor to your bread or muffin recipes.

Advice

• Accompaniments: Pumpkin pairs well with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.
  Storage: Store in a cool, dry place, or in the refrigerator once cooked.

for dessert
Here are some pumpkin dessert ideas:

• 1. Pumpkin Pie
  Ingredients: Pumpkin puree, eggs, sugar, condensed milk, spices (cinnamon, nutmeg).
  Preparation: Mix all ingredients, pour into a pie crust and bake until the center is firm.
• 2. Pumpkin Muffins
  Ingredients: Pumpkin puree, flour, sugar, eggs, spices (cinnamon, ginger).
  Preparation: Mix dry and wet ingredients, pour into muffin tins and bake.
• 3. Pumpkin Cake
  Ingredients: Pumpkin puree, flour, sugar, eggs, spices.
  Preparation: Mix the ingredients, pour into a mold and bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
• 4. Pumpkin Pudding
  Ingredients: Pumpkin puree, milk, sugar, cornstarch, spices.
  Preparation: Heat the milk, add the other ingredients and cook until thickened. Refrigerate before serving.
• 5. Pumpkin Cookies
  Ingredients: Pumpkin puree, flour, sugar, spices, chocolate chips (optional).
  Preparation: Mix all ingredients, form into balls and bake in the oven until golden brown.

These desserts are delicious and highlight the sweet flavor of pumpkin!

Enjoy your food !

Please take care of them because they are very rare and only in small quantities! You can keep this squash inside for 1 year if it has no breakage, in the dark. For example, under your bed if you do not have space on a cardboard box.

Our seeds are vigorous, open-pollinated and adapted to the Quebec climate.

• Species: Cucurbita maxima
• Sowing: Early April (under cover, outdoor greenhouse) or early May indoors
• Seeds: 2 seeds per pot, beginning of May and put the plants in the ground at the end of May, beginning of June
• The pots will be ready to put in the ground at the beginning of June.
• Sowing depth: 1-2cm
• Germination time: 5-13 days
• Soil: Slightly acidic, humus-rich, loose, fresh and well-drained
• Location: Requires very hot cultivation and plenty of sun
• Spacing between plants: 40-60cm
• Height at maturity: 40-60 cm
• Maturity: 80-85 days | Productive
• Seed per envelope: +/- 12

Our seeds are guaranteed for the year of purchase.