Pumpkins to celebrate Halloween and Day of the Dead

Pumpkins are used as decorations and food for both Halloween and the Day of the Dead, according to the Agri-Food and Fisheries Information Service (SIAP).

"If we want to decorate a pumpkin for Halloween, we'll have to look for the largest varieties , such as Cucurbita maxima or pumpkin, otherwise we'll just end up with delicious little zucchini that we can add to a delicious chicken broth," she advises.

Both can be hand-carved into various shapes, a tradition that stems from the Irish story of Jack the Stingy , who was sentenced to wander the Earth forever after his death.

It is said that people in Ireland began carving faces into turnips to scare away the spirit of Jack, and eventually the vegetables were replaced by pumpkins, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica.

Native to South America, it's the most commonly used species for Halloween due to its large size, especially in border areas between Mexico and the United States, according to SIAP.

It is often the winner in the largest pumpkin competition, where specimens weighing more than 400 kilograms compete, according to GEOScentricos.

Another pumpkin sought after during this time of year for its large size is the Castilian pumpkin. Like the previous pumpkin, it is characterized by its extremely thick rind. It contains a good amount of fiber, minerals, and vitamins, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader).

According to SIAP, it is ideal for preparing pumpkin candy or pumpkin in tacha, a traditional element in Day of the Dead altars , since a popular saying says that "the cemeteries are full of dead people and gluttons."

Its pulp is used to make fresh water, atoles, and baked goods, while its seeds are roasted, cooked, or boiled as a snack or used in sweets, stews, and tamales.