Trivia: What was the first jack o’lantern carved from, according to Irish legend?
Potato
Turnip
Watermelon
Eggplant
Correct Answer: Turnip
So why is this answer correct? : We have Irish immigrants to thank for bringing the pumpkin carving tradition to the U.S., but centuries ago, it wasn’t pumpkins they were carving. According to the legend of “Stingy Jack,” Jack angered the Devil by tricking him, who then sentenced Jack to the punishment of eternal darkness. To light his way, Jack carved the first jack o’lantern from a hollowed-out turnip and lit it with hot coal. He was called “Jack of the lantern” which was eventually shortened to jack o’lantern. Later in America, immigrants began to carve all kinds of vegetables and fruits, but pumpkins, which are native to North America, became the favored choice.