Question

    Pumpkins of almost any variety have flesh high in fiber and beta carotene(β-胡萝卜素). But we don't eat the vast majority of the pumpkins grown in the U.S. Instead, we, of course, carve faces into them, light them and perhaps leave them to sit outside for days. And then we threw them. But could we be eating more pumpkins?

The Howden pumpkin-the most common variety for decorative uses-has been produced for its size, shape, color and having a handle-like stem for easy carrying, according to Katie Kammler, gardening specialist with the University of Missouri Extension. “If it was my choice, carved pumpkins are not what I'd want to eat,” Kammler says. Instead, she'd prefer one of the smaller and sweeter varieties-like the jack-be-little, Hubbard or kabocha, which have been selected over time for taste.

“You could puree(把……研成糊状) your pumpkin,” she tells The Salt by email. “If you go that route, I'd recommend using the puree for baking; sugar and spices will go a long way in improving the taste.”

Now, admittedly, eating your Halloween pumpkin this way means not carving it. So what if you have already carved it?

We asked the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) whether they recommended eating Halloween pumpkins. Spokeswoman Lauren Sucher said, “They may have been left outside for days and exposed to dirt and insects, and possibly wax and smoke. But we recommend that consumers who want to use their pumpkins for food set aside some parts, such as pumpkin seeds, and roast them soon after carving.”

But this doesn't mean after Halloween there aren't better things to do with your pumpkin than putting it in landfills(垃圾填埋地). Kammler says those in good condition make great farm animal feed.

Another suggestion from Chef Dan Barber. “Donate your pumpkin to compost(堆肥) at your local farmers' market. So if it doesn't feed us at least it's helping crops grow.”

1.What do we learn about the Howden pumpkin?

A.It is most suitable for Halloween. B.It is mainly used for food products.

C.It is more delicious than the jack-be-little. D.It is Kammler's favorite variety of pumpkin.

2.What does Kammler mainly tell The Salt?

A.How to puree your pumpkin. B.How to eat Halloween pumpkins.

C.How to cook uncarved pumpkins. D.How to improve the taste of pumpkins.

3.What is the FDA's attitude to eating carved Halloween pumpkins?

A.Disapproving. B.Dissatisfied.

C.Uncertain. D.Uncaring.

4.What should we do to deal with unwanted pumpkins according to the text?

A.Eat those in good condition. B.Bury them under the ground.

C.Sell them at local farmers' market. D.Give them to farms to improve soil.

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.A

4.D

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文。主要说明了几乎任何种类的南瓜都富含纤维和胡萝卜素。但是我们并不吃美国种植的绝大多数南瓜，相反，我们当然会在南瓜上刻上脸，点亮它们，或者把它们放在外面几天。文章讨论了万圣节南瓜是否可以吃的问题以及提出了可以如何处理这些南瓜的建议。

1.

推理判断题。根据第二段中The Howden pumpkin-the most common variety for decorative uses-has been produced for its size, shape, color and having a handle-like stem for easy carrying, according to Katie Kammler, gardening specialist with the University of Missouri Extension.可知据密苏里大学扩展分校的园艺专家Katie Kammler说，Howden南瓜——最常见的装饰用品种——因其大小、形状、颜色和具有类似手柄的茎部，便于携带而被生产出来。由此可推知，Howden pumpkin非常适合制作万圣节南瓜灯。故选A。

2.

细节理解题。根据第三段“You could puree(把……研成糊状) your pumpkin,” she tells The Salt by email. “If you go that route, I'd recommend using the puree for baking; sugar and spices will go a long way in improving the taste.”可知“你可以把南瓜打成泥，”她通过电子邮件告诉The Salt。“如果你选择这么做，我建议用果泥来烘焙，糖和香料会对改善口味有很大帮助。”以及第四段中Now, admittedly, eating your Halloween pumpkin this way means not carving it.可知现在，不可否认的是，这样吃你的万圣节南瓜意味着不雕刻它。由此可知，Kammler告诉The Salt应该如何烹制未雕刻的南瓜。故选C。

3.

推理判断题。根据第五段中We asked the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) whether they recommended eating Halloween pumpkins. Spokeswoman Lauren Sucher said, “They may have been left outside for days and exposed to dirt and insects, and possibly wax and smoke.可知我们询问了食品和药物管理局他们是否建议吃万圣节南瓜。发言人Lauren Sucher说：“他们可能已经在外面呆了好几天，接触到泥土和昆虫，可能还有蜡和烟。”由此可以推知，食品和药物管理局不支持食用雕刻过的万圣节南瓜。故选A。

4.

细节理解题。根据最后一段中Donate your pumpkin to compost(堆肥) at your local farmers' market. So if it doesn't feed us at least it's helping crops grow.可知把你的南瓜捐给当地的农贸市场做堆肥。所以即使它不能养活我们，至少它能帮助农作物生长。由此可知，人们可以把不想要的南瓜送给农场作肥料。故选D。