National Pumpkin Day

Hip hip hooray – Oct. 26 is National Pumpkin Day! With Halloween just days away, today is dedicated to all-things pumpkins. And let's face it - pumpkins are just plain fun whether you carve ‘em, decorate 'em or eat ‘em.

High in potassium and Vitamin A, did you know pumpkins are 90 percent water? And in case you don't think pumpkins are big business, think again. In 2008, the United States produced about 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins. Up to 95 percent of pumpkins are grown in Illinois.

In honor of National Pumpkin Day, why not whip up a delish pumpkin dishes, desserts and/or pumpkin-inspired cocktail recipe?.