Turnips might not seem that exciting to you, but they’ve actually had an interesting part in history. Turnips were the first Jack-o-Lanterns in Ireland and Scotland. They were carved to ward off evil spirits and other unwanted travelers and eventually became a Halloween tradition. Irish and Scottish immigrants brought the tradition with them to North America, where they discover pumpkins are perfect for carving faces.
The origin of the carved turnip began with Irish folklore. The legend is about a man they called Jack O’Lantern who was condemned to roam the earth for eternity after playing tricks on the devil. He carried with him a carved-out turnip with a burning coal inside to light his way.
Check out more facts about turnips.
Want more Agriculture Facts? Click here
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get your weekly dose of Ag Facts.
Search Vegetable and Fruit Jobs.
Sign Up for Our Email Newsletter and get ag facts bi-monthly, plus new jobs in agriculture.
Sources:
Irish Central – The Legend of Jack O’Lantern
Just Fun Facts
Ten Random Facts