1. Pumpkins are a member of the gourd family, which includes cucumbers, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, watermelons and zucchini. These plants are native to Central America and Mexico, but now grow on six continents-all but Antarctica.

Imagine a world where a single fruit can boast a family tree that includes cucumbers, zucchinis, and cantaloupes, all while holding a history that dates back to ancient Indigenous North America. The journey of the pumpkin from "gros melons" discovered by explorer Jacques Cartier to the record-breaking 2,624-pound behemoth grown in Belgium is as vibrant as its brilliant orange hue. With Illinois leading the charge as the largest producer of pumpkins in the U.S. and the stunning fact that pumpkin seeds can sprout into new life just a few months after planting, there's no denying that growing pumpkins is not just a seasonal endeavor—it's a rich tradition filled with potential. Whether you're aiming to bake the world's largest pumpkin pie or simply want to enjoy their beauty in your garden, the art of cultivating pumpkins is as rewarding as it is fascinating.

Using the two passages below, and some of your own knowledge and research, write a thesis statement explaining the history of pumpkins. Remember that a thesis statement restates part of the prompt, includes your focus, and three details (or reasons). Here is an example: From archaeological studies we discover the rich history of pumpkins coming from Central and South America, that they are a fall crop, and quite different than today.

Passage 1
The History of Pumpkins
There is no denying that once autumn rolls in, the pumpkin reigns supreme. All year long folks wait for their favorite coffee shops to fill with the aroma of pumpkin spice lattes. It's the season when grocery stores stock their shelves with limited edition pumpkin cookies and ice cream. October is synonymous with jack-o- lanterns; as Thanksgiving approaches we pull out our time-honored pumpkin pie recipes. It seems that no food symbolizes the blustery fall season quite like pumpkins.
Archaeologists discovered the oldest domesticated pumpkin seeds in the Oaxaca Highlands of Mexico. Pumpkins are believed to have originated in Central America over 7,500 years ago. The first pumpkins held very little resemblance to the sweet, bright orange variety we are familiar with. The original pumpkins were small and hard with a bitter flavor. Rather than using their nutritional and readily available seeds, pre- Columbian natives grew pumpkins for their flesh. They were among the first crops grown for human consumption in North America. Thanks to their solid, thick flesh, pumpkins proved ideal for storing during cold weather and in times of scarcity.
Pumpkins are a versatile and important food worth celebrating. Each year, a multitude of creative pumpkin recipes pop up in cookbooks, culinary TV shows and food blogs. I think 17th century cooks would be proud of our modern kitchen ingenuity. What are some of your favorite ways to eat and prepare pumpkin?
Passage 2
Pumpkin: A Brief History
Few horticultural crops signal the arrival of autumn more so than pumpkin. This fall, millions of Americans will make an annual pilgrimage to a retail outlet to purchase a vegetable they (unfortunately) are very unlikely to eat. While many people throughout the world use pumpkin as a staple in their daily diet, in the United States this colorful member of the Cucurbitaceae (gourd) family is used primarily for decoration. Halloween and Thanksgiving just would not be complete without pumpkins to add a festive air to the observation of these two events. October is an appropriate month to take a closer look at this fall favorite.
Pumpkin derived its name from the Greek word "pepon" which, literally interpreted, means "large melon. The French word for "pepga" was "pompon" and the English changed the latter to "Rumpion". American colonists are credited with changing "pumpion" to "pumpkin", the name which still is associated with this vegetable
Archeological evidence suggests that pumpkins and winter squash are native to the Americas from the southwestern part of what is now the United States through Mexico and Central America and south into Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. Pumpkins have been cultivated since about 3500 B.C. rivaling it with maize (corn) as one of the oldest known crops in the western hemisphere. Native Americans are said to have roasted long strips of pumpkin on an open fire and then consumed them. They also dried pumpkin strips and wave them into mats.

The history of pumpkins reveals a fascinating journey from their origins in Central America over 7,500 years ago to their prominent place in modern autumn celebrations in the United States. Once utilized primarily for their nutritious flesh by pre-Columbian societies, these fruits were among the first cultivated crops in North America and served as a vital food source during times of scarcity. The evolution of the pumpkin’s name—from the Greek "pepon," meaning "large melon," to the American "pumpkin"—reflects its cultural significance, and archaeological evidence highlights its status as one of the oldest known crops alongside maize. Today, pumpkins not only represent the seasonal essence of fall but also symbolize cherished traditions surrounding Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Take the facts provided below and write a 5 sentence paragraph about pumpkins. You will want to have a focus - main idea for your paragraph. You will need to include 1 to 2 quotes. It will be exciting if you choose to focus on the science of pumpkins, or history of pumpkins, or pumpkins as food.

1. Pumpkins are fruits, not vegetables = Fruits are considered to be the part of the plant that has seeds on the inside. By this definition, a pumpkin is definitely a fruit. They're a member of the gourd family, which includes other fruits like watermelon and winter squash.
2. Pumpkin pie wasn't served at the pilgrims' Thanksgiving - Despite our modern-day obsession with pumpkin pie this time of year, it was nowhere to be found at the original Thanksgiving feast of 1621. Pilgrims wouldn't have had butter or flour for making pie crust, let alone an oven for baking. Some historians speculate that the Pilgrims may have hollowed out pumpkins to fill with milk, spices, and honey for a custard-like dessert, but even this has never been proved.
3. Random fun facts =
Over 1 billion pounds (450 million kgs) of pumpkin are produced in the US every year. As a food, pumpkin can be baked, roasted, steamed or boiled.
• Pumpkin soup is popular, as are roasted pumpkin seeds.
Pumpkins are usually orange but can sometimes be yellow, white, green or red.
496 million pounds of pumpkins were produced in Illinois in 2008.
The top pumpkin production states are Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and California.
The top ten pumpkin producing counties in Illinois are Tazewell, Kankakee, Mason, Logan, Will, Marshall, Kane, Pike, Carroll and Woodford.
Pumpkins are grown primarily for processing with a small percentage grown for
ornamental sales through you-pick farms, farmers' market and retail sales.
Around 90 to 95% of the processed pumpkins in the United States are grown in Illinois.
Pumpkin seeds can be roasted as a snack.
Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A.
Pumpkins are used for feed for animals.
Pumpkin flowers are edible.
Pumpkins are used to make soups, pies and breads.
The largest pumpkin pie ever made was over five feet in diameter and weighed over 350 pounds. It used 80 pounds of cooked pumpkin, 36 pounds of sugar, 12 dozen eggs and took six hours to bake..
Pumpkins are members of the vine crops family called cucurbits.
In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling.

Pumpkins, often mistaken as just festive decorations, are actually fruits that belong to the gourd family, which includes other popular fruits like watermelons and winter squash. Each year, the United States produces over 1 billion pounds of pumpkins, with Illinois leading the charge, producing an impressive 496 million pounds in 2008 alone. Interestingly, pumpkin pie, a staple of modern Thanksgiving celebrations, was not served at the original feast in 1621; instead, Pilgrims likely hollowed out pumpkins to create a custard-like dessert with milk and spices—a dish that remains unconfirmed by history. Beyond their culinary uses, pumpkins are rich in potassium and Vitamin A, making them a nutritious addition to various dishes like soups and breads. As versatile as they are vibrant, pumpkins can be prepared in many ways, from roasted seeds to creamy soups, and their flowers are even edible, showcasing their incredible potential in both the kitchen and the garden.