There are many tales of the origin of Jack-o-Lantern from a variety of cultures.  Common folklore of a blacksmith doomed to haunt the earth are shared in tales of Will-o-the-wisp and Stingy Jack in which a trickster banned from heaven and hell is given an eternal light, which he places in a carved turnip and uses as a lantern as he roams the earth.  What a fitting story on Halloween a time of year to carve Jack-O-Lanterns and remember spirits that have passed!

While many of us may be out trick o treating and dressing up in our scariest costumes some people still light candles on graves in respect for the dead and the spirits of All Hallows’ Eve. Some might say, what with the haunted spots in Ogunquit, those candles are a good idea!

October is the month when carved pumpkins line the windows and door steps throughout our quaint village and our hotel in Ogunquit Maine.  Just down the street from the Meadowmere, Zach’s Farm offers tractor pulls and  pickin’ hayrides to their half mile pumpkin patch. You are sure to find the perfect one.  Heading north from our hotel in Ogunquit you’ll find Spillers Farm with their pumpkin hayride and farm tour. Explore the farm with a little covered bridge, calves, bee hives and geese, then head into the pumpkin patch and find the one that’s just right.

This year’s Jack-O-Lantern could be scary, silly or sweet, but one thing is for sure; you will find lots of variety here in charming New England.  With beautiful fall foliage  all around, it’s no wonder that the Northeast holds the world record for the most jack-o-lanterns carved and lit in one place.

Pumpkins, of course are good for a lot more than decorating they’re also super yummy!  The  tradition of roasting the pumpkin seeds when the carvings complete offers a tasty and nutritious snack.  Pumpkin seeds are filled with heart healthy magnesium, zinc to support the immune system, Omega-3 fats and many more benefits for your health.  Pumpkin is one of the most popular field crops around the world and full of antioxidants and vitamins.  So maybe that pumpkin pie is a really a healthy fall tradition!

In Ogunquit Maine our creative chef’s cook up some deliciously unique meals in fall, pairing their culinary skills with the seasonal harvest makes for a few can’t miss pumpkin specialties.  At our hotel in Ogunquit our fingers are crossed that CornerStone will be bringing back their pumpkin mac & cheese real soon.  We hope to see you there!