The language of pumpkin planting
There are a few sayings in Italy that guide the planting, and harvesting of pumpkins. “Il primo giorno di aprile, metti le zucche, che vengono grosse come un barile”, suggests that for the biggest pumpkins, you should plant the seeds on the first of April.
The pumpkins should be left to grow until the Madonna arrives – “Co get the Madone all suche ze the bone!” Of course, this doesn’t refer to The Material Girl, but the festivals of the Virgin Mary in August, when the pumpkins will start becoming ready to roast and eat – “Co comes and thirty de agosto, suits the suche goes rosto!”
Finally, as a guide to knowing how good a pumpkin may taste, a well known proverb suggests you place a slice of pumpkin in a bowl of water. If it sinks, it’s ready to eat.
The pumpkins should be left to grow until the Madonna arrives – “Co get the Madone all suche ze the bone!” Of course, this doesn’t refer to The Material Girl, but the festivals of the Virgin Mary in August, when the pumpkins will start becoming ready to roast and eat – “Co comes and thirty de agosto, suits the suche goes rosto!”
Finally, as a guide to knowing how good a pumpkin may taste, a well known proverb suggests you place a slice of pumpkin in a bowl of water. If it sinks, it’s ready to eat.