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Fall Festivities Top The Scale: One Hundred And Fifty Pounds Of Pumpkin

by Meredith Roberts
10/23/2007

In a parking lot in Dawsonville, Ga., a little boy watches as his parents load a pumpkin three times his size into the family SUV. Here at Burt’s Pumpkin Farm, children’s faces are often plastered with inquisitive looks, asking “What do you mean you can’t lift a pumpkin, Dad?!” But when the average pumpkin is 150 pounds and wider than a couple of beach balls, parents rightfully opt for wheelbarrows.

Located in the mountains of North Georgia off of Highway 52, Burt’s has been open for many years and grows thousands of pumpkins each season. They also grow their own corn for popping.

The drive up to Burt’s includes several windy roads, fall foliage, sleeping cows and empty fields – where vines remain long after pumpkin harvesting.

While these Georgia pumpkins seem marvelously large to most people, the average award-winning pumpkin at Half Moon Bay, California’s annual pumpkin and arts festival weighs a massive 1200 pounds.

Yet Burt’s offers more than just the regular, oval shaped, orange pumpkin. Visitors stumble upon warty winter squash, gourds shaped like snakes and little pumpkins that seem to have their color drained out of them.

Picking out pumpkins may just be the great human equalizer. All types of people visit Burt’s, from the family who pulls up in their suburbanite SUV with gleaming rims to the man who wears a pair of overalls and, well, nothing else.

Part of the draw of Burt’s Farm, despite the long drive, is how comfortable it is. It is tranquil, minus the squeals of children who find the perfect gourd to take home. Everybody can relax a little, surrounded by mountains and the smell of fall.

Besides providing a prime location for people watching, the farm offers hayrides and a barn full of jarred goodies. Most importantly they sell foods inspired by the diversity of pumpkin.

A number of restaurants incorporate pumpkin into their menu during the Fall. Dishes include pumpkin ravioli and pumpkin soup. Many vegetarians serve a giant roasted pumpkin, complete with stuffing, instead of a turkey on Thanksgiving.

Beverages include pumpkin beer or, for those with coffee running through their veins, pumpkin lattes. But what is better than pumpkin bread?

The average loaf of pumpkin bread requires no more than eight ounces of pumpkin puree. So when you have the post-carving insides of a 150 pumpkin, all roads point to the kitchen.

Pumpkin is high in antioxidants, beta-carotene and iron. It is also native to the Western Hemisphere, making it a prime candidate for the "eat local produce" movement sweeping the nation.

For those seeking a way to butter up your roommates or family members, get ready to whisk. The easiest pumpkin bread recipe –besides the boxed version - can be made low-fat or vegan. Replacing oil with an equal amount of plain, low-fat yogurt makes a moister bread than the original version. Likewise, the bread can be vegan if you use an egg substitute equivalent to two eggs.

Another hint: while the spices are important, a little container of allspice can be priced at $4—more than it costs to buy even an entire loaf of pumpkin bread. Many organic grocers or health food stores such as Earth Fare provide spice bars where you can get only as much as you need. Even a quarter of a teaspoon! This will save you $3.80, money that was probably not in your spice budget in the first place.

Pumpkin Bread Recipe:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup pumpkin purée
1/2 cup vegetable oil (or 1/2 cup plain, low-fat yogurt)
2 eggs (or the equivalent amount of egg substitute)
1/4 cup water
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. cloves

Instructions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Sift together the flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients and spices. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes in a greased 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Delicious served with cream cheese!

For more information about Burt’s Pumpkin Farm, such as farm hours and hayride prices, visit their website.