The Original Halloween Vegetable #halloween #historytok #funfacts #foodies #celtic #samhain #hoptunaa Before pumpkins became the iconic vegetable of Halloween, the Celtic nations, like Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man carved turnips for celebrations. Festivals like Samhain and Hop Tun Aa marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of the dark winter season, was deeply connected with the spirit world. It was believed that during this time, the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest, allowing spirits and fairies to cross into our realm. To ward off malevolent spirits, people would carve grotesque faces into hollowed-out turnips and place them near doors and windows. The scary faces were intended to frighten away wandering souls or mischievous fairies.