Pumpkins and Contact Dermatitis

I cooked 4 of my garden pie pumpkins last night (so I could puree and freeze the pumpkin flesh for later use) and discovered that I have yet one more allergic reaction- contact dermatitis to the skin and/or flesh of the pumpkin. :(

My hands started peeling right after I put the first two in the oven. I thought at first that there was something on the outside of the pumpkin that I just couldn't get off my hands, but after washing my hands a few times, I realized that the stuff I was trying to wash off? It was my peeling skin.

Charming, right? I have actually noticed this before with squash, but blamed it on waxing the squash skin. Now I'm not so sure... it may be one more symptom I can blame on my old friend Oral Allergy Syndrome, which makes up the more annoying part of my food allergies. If you're not familiar with Oral Allergy Syndrome, it's an allergy to the pollen of the fruits or vegetables- so a raw food allergy. When you cook the offending fruit/veggie, the pollen is killed and the food is edible. I am allergic to raw apples, some pears, citrus, celery, carrots, tomatoes, cilantro... and now maybe squash and pumpkins.

Last night my hands (especially my left hand- the one not holding the spoon but holding the pumpkin) were raw and peeling and cracked. They felt like they had a layer of stiff wax over them, but that was really my skin. I found a few sites that recommended putting cortisone cream on them, and that helped, but they're still raw this morning. But better, and less peeling.

So, I'll try handling the rest of the pumpkins (which also need to be cooked & pureed before they go bad) while wearing gloves and see if that helps.

Gardening this summer

Garden Sept 2010
Originally uploaded by zombie amelia

In addition to cooking, I love gardening. Flowers are nice (I grow many) but I also try for vegetables. This year, I started with several small cold frames and tiny plants and ended up with 15+ pie pumpkins, a bunch of peppers, tons of strawberries and tons of rhubarb (strawberry rhubarb jam!), several summer squash... I could go on and won't. And I'm waiting for more tomatoes.

I've been requested to make a stuffed pie pumpkin (or two) this year. I've made one recipe in the past with layers of bread crumbs, goat cheese, soy creamer, and egg, but it was too rich for my tastes, so I'm on the hunt for a less rich recipe.

I'll keep you posted.