Not all big pumpkins go to gourd heaven after Halloween. Some, like the 1,049-pound behemoth recently on display at foodlife in Water Tower Place, stick around awhile. Or, at least its seeds do. For in the world of pumpkin growing, the seeds are almost as important as the fruit.
“I want the seeds in it because of the genetics,” said Clarence Koch of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., who grew this big–and famous–gourd: It broke the state record at the Nekoosa (Wisconsin) Giant Pumpkin Fest, a sanctioned giant pumpkin weigh-in held last month. Soon after that, Steve Dahlke of Rosemont–working with a forklift, truck and trailer–hauled the hefty guy to downtown Chicago and Water Tower Place.
The half-ton monster at the foodlife eatery was the biggest Dahlke had ever carved in his 15 years as a professional pumpkin carver. It was also the biggest foodlife had ever purchased–“at about $1 a pound,” said eatery partner Chris Favero–since they began doing so in 1994.
Grower Koch was on hand Oct. 25 when Dahlke took three hours–working with four chisels, a potato peeler and four knives–to produce the creation. He also made a few holes in the back of the gourd, portals through which he and Koch pulled out those precious seeds and the pumpkin innards, which took a trip to the trash.
The whole experience, coupled with the hot spotlights, apparently was too much for this plump pumpkin to bear: It collapsed on itself the next evening and joined its innards in the restaurant’s dumpsters.
There were few tears shed. This pumpkin’s progeny is destined to live on.
“I will take some [seeds] and I’ll trade a few with other growers,” Koch said. “We’ll see how they do. If they produce more thousand-pounders, it will be a highly sought-after seed.”
———-
Everyone has a story (or two or three). Care to share yours with Q Diary?
More Top Picks Best Blue Light Glasses For Reading In Bed
You can reach us at [email protected]. Include your daytime phone number so we can chat. We want details, details, details!