Pumpkin

In the United States, pumpkin is most typically associated with jack'olanterns and holiday pie filling, it is, historically, an aphrodisiac. And although Americans rarely reap the rewards of pumpkin's aphrodisiac nutrients, many cultures around the world enjoy pumpkin as a culinary treat of autumn.
 
The Austraians have a way with the orange-fleshed gourd and serve them in every imaginable way. (A google search will turn up over 1,000,000 hits for “Australian pumpkin soup” alone.) And if you stop and think about all those qualities of pumpkin that makes it a potent aphrodisiac, well, it might help explain why Australian tends to be a wild and randy culture!

Throughout the ages, pumpkins have been used all over the Western world to treat low libido. The word “pumpkin” derives from the Greek “pepon,” which means “big melon” (every straight man’s dream, right?) In Hopi culture, pumpkin blossoms are considered symbols of fertility. It was also used medicinally throughout several Native American cultures. (Makes you wonder a bit about that Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater). 
 
In the 1990’s Dr. Alan Hirsch of the Smell and Taste Treatment & Research Foundation in Chicago made a scientific connection between pumpkin and seduction. In the 1990’s, he discovered that the scent of pumpkin pie spice in combination with lavender is one of the most arousing scents to men.
 
Beyond aroma, pumpkin offers nutrients essential to a healthy libido. Packed with anti-oxidants, they’re great for keeping you young, fun and ready to... spoon. The seeds are full of zinc, an important nutrient for boosting blood flow below the belt.

 When buying a pumpkin, look for a gourd with a smooth, crack-free flesh and a hefty weight. If the stem is still attached, a pumpkin will keep, stored in a cool, dry place, for several months. Autumn Gold are among the most common eating varieties. Sugar pumpkins are considered the best for making pie.

The possibilities for cooking pumpkin are endless. Roasted pumpkin can make an attractive substitute in potato salad. The seeds can be cleaned and roasted on an oiled cookie sheet, pumpkin seeds contain essential oils, protein and vitamin E. Last but not least, is that ubiquitous pumpkin soup the Aussies can’t live without. Try a bowl with a glass of Shiraz.